International programmes (UNEP, AMAP)

MSC-E contributed to the UNEP report “Global Atmospheric Mercury Assessment: Sources, Emissions and Transport” co-ordinated by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). This work was partly funded by UNEP and AMAP. In particular, MSC-E took part in drafting the overview of contemporary modelling approaches applied for assessment of mercury pollution levels on a global scale. It also performed comparative analysis of the results of mercury atmospheric modelling. The report was presented to the 25th session of the UNEP Governing Council in Nairobi in February 2009. The AMAP/UNEP report was actively cited while elaborating the decision on the development of a legally binding instrument for the reducing of Hg in environment. In particular, the UNEP Governing Council agreed “… to further international action consisting of the elaboration of a legally binding instrument on mercury, which could include both binding and voluntary approaches, together with interim activities, to reduce risks to human health and the environment …” [UNEP/GC.25/17].