Third Global Round Table on PRTRs Geneva, Switzerland, 7-8 November 2018

1. Mediterranean Action Plan/Barcelona ConventionCurrent status and challenges for establishment of PRTR systems in Southern Mediterranean Countries Third Global Round Table on PRTRs Geneva, Switzerland, 7-8 November 2018 Mohamad Kayyal, Ph.D. MEDPOL Programme Management Officer UN Environment / Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention Secretariat

2. Overview of implementation of PRTR in Mediterranean Countries Summary assessment of key aspects in support of implementation of PRTR in the Mediterranean Countries. Legal environment. Administrative infrastructure. Reporting system. MEDPOL activities in support of implementation of PRTR in Southern Mediterranean Countries. Identified challenges preventing implementation of PRTR. Future plans in support of PRTR implementation in Southern Mediterranean Countries.

3. Legal Environment in support of implementation of PRTR in Mediterranean Countries EU Countries E-PRTR Regulation 166/2006 is the framework and is in force in all EU countries. Israel Law for the Protection of the Environment is in force and follows to a considerable extent the E-PRTR provisions. Southern countries (Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia) A legal PRTR act is not in place. Environmental permits do not prescribe any reporting feedback from industry to administrations.

4. Administrative infrastructure in support of implementation of PRTR in Mediterranean Countries EU Countries Relevant administrative units and infrastructure are set-up to assess the reporting data flow from industrial facilities. Israel Industries Division in the Ministry of Environment Protection is in charge for the industrial pollution control. Southern countries (Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia). Aspect of industrial pollution are monitored by relevant divisions. Relevant divisions dealt so far with NBB reporting to MEDPOL InfoSystem. Relevant IT infrastructure (HW/SW) is not well developed.

5. Reporting of pollutants in support of implementation of PRTR in Mediterranean Countries EU Countries Industrial operators report to the authorities according to the E-PRTR requirements. Israel Operators report to the Ministry of Environmental Protection on a regular basis according to the Law’s provisions. Southern countries (Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia) System of data collection relies entirely on inspections preformed on site by controlling authorities supervising the fulfilment of the environmental permits’ conditions. Due to cost factors and limited personnel and equipment capacities, inspections are not very frequently performed.

6. MEDPOL activities in support of PRTR implementation in Southern Mediterranean Countries 2003… In the Mediterranean, PRTR implementation process started with a typical bottom-up approach by launching pilot proactive projects in Morocco, Turkey, Syria and Egypt under framework of collaboration between UN Environment Program and UNIDO. 2010-2015… In the framework of ENPI-SEIS project, support for southern Mediterranean countries is provided for the establishment of an online PRTR system for H2020 indicators on industrial pollution. Introduction of the pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) and guidelines for reporting were produced.

7. MEDPOL activities in support of PRTR implementation in Southern Mediterranean Countries 2016-2020, In the framework of ENPI-SEIS II project for the Southern Mediterranean Countries, … The PRTR reporting guidelines were updated and shared with the southern Mediterranean countries (2018). PRTR Implementation “Gap Analysis” was conducted. Existing situation in terms of legal environment, administrative/infrastructure framework, and reporting systems were assessed (2018). PRTR Legal Framework Template was developed and provided (2018). 2018-2019, MEDPOL initiated a data call for National Budget Baseline which requires PRTR data to be reported if the country has already established the PRTR at national level.

8. Identified challenges preventing implementation of PRTR in Southern Mediterranean Countries No PRTR related-legislation that would oblige polluting industries to report to national authorities. There are no sound IT infrastructures (connectivity) to build national PRTR systems. Emission factors are not validated nationally in order to ensure quality and accuracy of reported data. Institutional framework with regards to data flow and their quality assurance/validation is rather weak due to: Lack of personnel capacity. Lack of financial resources.

9. Planned future MEDPOL activities Plans to implement National PRTR pilots in Tunisia, Morocco and Palestine (TORs defining national teams are prepared). Preparation to update the methodology for national emission factor development for main industries in the Mediterranean regions focusing on southern countries. Data call initiated on September 2018 to receive data to NBB/PRTR InfoSystem by the Mediterranean Countries.

10. Mediterranean Action Plan Coordinating Unit Barcelona Convention Secretariat Thank you UN Environment/Mediterranean Action Plan Barcelona Convention Secretariat http://web.unep.org/unepmap/