17 February 2016: In the run-up to the seventh session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Mercury (INC 7), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has reported on its activities toward phasing out the use of mercury, reducing mercury releases to the environment, improving the management of mercury in general, and preventing mercury from entering water bodies. The report, titled ‘Mercury Management for Sustainable Development,’ also illustrates co-benefits of action on mercury for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Global Environment Facility (GEF), through UNDP, has channeled US$22 million in grants and $32 million in co-financing to mercury-related activities in 42 countries, UNDP reports. The activities contribute toward achieving the target of the sixth GEF funding cycle, to reduce 1,000 tonnes of mercury by 2018 in an environmentally sound manner. In the report published on 17 February 2016, UNDP describes activities and outcomes from this effort.

The GEF funding has supported a range of activities: 37% on projects related to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (AGSM); 36% to phasing out mercury-containing medical devices and products, such as dental amalgam and thermometers; 22% to supporting countries to conduct their own Minamata initial assessments (MIAs); and 6% to other projects. For example, the UNDP Global Medical Waste Project conducted in Argentina, India, Latvia, Lebanon, Philippines, Senegal and Viet Nam: Global Medical Waste Project from 2008-2015 helped 30 hospitals to become mercury-free, while a project on Reducing the Use of Mercury in ASGM has supported countries to prepare their own National Action Plans (NAPs) and conduct mercury baseline assessments, supported formalization of the ASGM sector through the creation of cooperatives, and helped provide loans for miners to purchase mercury-free processing equipment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers mercury to be one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern. ASGM and power generation are the sectors responsible for the majority of global mercury emissions, with coal-fired power plants emitting 24% of total emissions, and ASGM responsible for 35%. Mercury levels in certain types of fish, such as bluefin tuna and swordfish, have become so high that some governments advise against their consumption or have introduced import bans.

On linkages with the SDGs, the report notes that phasing out mercury has benefits for human health, as well as for marine and coastal biodiversity, fishers’ livelihoods, child protection and fair labor conditions.

INC 7 takes place in the Dead Sea region, Jordan, from 10-15 March 2016, as countries await the entry of the 2013 Minamata Convention into force. This will occur when 50 countries have ratified the Convention. Highlights of the Minimata Convention on Mercury include: a ban on new mercury mines; phase-out of existing mines; control measures on air emissions; and international regulation of ASGM. [Publication: Mercury Management for Sustainable Development] [Report Webpage] [INC 7 Website] [IISD RS Meeting Coverage]