Impact of Environmental Cooperation under CAFTA-DR 2006-2009 USAID/El Salvador (E-CAM)

1. Impact of Environmental Cooperation under CAFTA-DR 2006-2009 USAID/El Salvador (E-CAM) Partnering for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, January 20-22, 2010, San José, Costa Rica

2. OBJECTIVES OF USAID ASSISTANCE • Support countries in complying with environmental commitments under CAFTA-DR • Build local capacity for improved environmental management

3. THEMATIC AREAS CAFTA-DR ASSISTANCE • Institutional strengthening for effective implementation and compliance of environmental laws • Biological diversity and conservation • Market-based conservation • Improved environmental performance in the private sector

4. AREAS OF ASSISTANCE OF USAID E-CAM I. Institutional strengthening for effective implementation and compliance of environmental laws • Improve environmental laws, regulations, policy and procedures. • Support capacity building so governments can enforce environmental laws. • Encourage public participation and transparency in decision-making on environmental matters.

5. AREAS OF ASSISTANCE OF USAID E-CAM • Improve environmental performance of the private sector • Highlight the profitability of improved environmental performance. • Encourage adoption of world-class environmental standards (eg. ISO 1400) by firms. • Encourage government and firms to enter into voluntary agreements on cleaner production.

6. Program Success USAID ENVIRONMENT AND LABOR EXCELLENCE FOR CAFTA-DR PROGRAM

7. SUCCESS STORIES FROM CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC • Wastewater Management • Air Quality • Sound Management of Chemicals • Cleaner Production • SERVIR

8. 1. WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT • Problem: CAFTA-DR countries have weak wastewater pollution control standards and lack of legally defendable analytical results. • Problem: Low percentage of wastewater treated and high prevalence of waterborne diseases.

9. KEY ACTIONS • Help countries established and strengthened their wastewater pollution control standards. • A total of 12 “key elements” have been identified to be implemented.

11. KEY ACTIONS • Central American wastewater laboratories have improved their Quality Assurance and Quality Control Systems. Result = reliable analytical results • Developed operator training materials for maintaining wastewater treatment plants.

12. OUTCOMES Compliance with environmental laws = improvement in water quality SOURCE: World Bank, 2007.

13. 2. AIR QUALITY Problem: Urban air quality monitoring in CAFTA-DR countries limited or nonexistent

14. KEY ACTIONS • Training on air quality monitoring using PM-10 samplers. • Selection of one country as technical resource for air monitoring data management, QA/QC and equipment maintenance. • Air quality monitoring equipment donation.

15. OUTCOME By end of 2010, 3.8 million people will benefit from operating PM10 stations in CAFTA-DR countries

16. 3. MERCURY REDUCTION IN HOSPITALS • Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can damage the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. • It is used in health care in products including thermometers, dental amalgam, lab chemicals, and preservatives. • Usage, breakages and disposal of mercury makes the health care sector a significant source of mercury pollution.

17. One gram of mercury (amount in a conventional thermometer) can pollute a 80 hectare lake.

18. KEY ACTIONS • Complete inventory of products containing mercury. • Development of protocols to address spills and disposal. • Training and education on mercury for hospital personnel.

19. KEY ACTIONS • New guidelines for purchase of mercury free equipment. • Construction of temporary disposal site for products containing mercury.

20. OUTCOMES • Completed substitution of mercury containing products. • 3,858 grams of mercury removed from hospital. • San Ramón Hospital and Caja Costarricence del Seguro Social agreement to eliminate products containing mercury.

21. 4. CLEANER PRODUCTION Problem: Lack of environmental compliance by some private sector firms in the region

22. KEY ACTIONS • Direct engagement of individual firms • Example: San Julian Agro-Industries in El Salvador

23. KEY ACTIONS • Loan Guarantee for clean production (US $300,000 loan package) for new equipment. • Technical assistance from the Salvadoran Clean Production Center.

24. OUTCOMES • New equipment = less pollution by San Julian. • Savings of $250,000 in electricity and raw material usage. • Certified by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (now exporting cheese to the U.S.)

25. 5. Environmental Monitoring: SERVIR

26. KEY ACTIONS • Provide new products to help governments respond to extreme events and disasters. • Real-time event monitoring system to track disasters and environmental treats. www.servir.net

27. OUTCOMES • Better information in the hands of government officials. • Improved disaster preparedness and response. • Improved access to climate change information.

28. Muchas GraciasUSAID/El Salvador (E-CAM) Lawrence Rubey lrubey@usaid.gov Michelle Jennings mjennings@usaid.gov Orlando Altamirano oaltamirano@usaid.gov Ruben Aleman raleman@usaid.gov Any Pleites (admin) apleites@usaid.gov