Pollution Assessment and

Transcription

1 Pollution Assessment and Management of Environmental Pollution QUARTERLY Working to control, prevent and reduce pollution of the coastal and marine environment from land and marine-based sources and activities thereby enabling countries of the Wider Caribbean to meet their obligations under the Land-based Sources of Marine Pollution and Oil Spills Protocols of the Cartagena Convention. JANUARY MARCH Issue 2 9 In this issue: -Trash Free International Waters in Jamaica - GEF Project Updates: CReW, CLME+, IWEco - Regional Centres for Oil Spills & Pollution provide training - What s next for our State of the Convention Area Report - Highlights from our Intergovernmental Meetings

2 Programme Coordination Trash Free Caribbean Waters Stakeholder Workshop: Jamaica A Stakeholder Workshop was convened from 14 to 16 February 2017 in Kingston, Jamaica by the National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) & Trash Free Waters Initiative Partners: (UN Environment-Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP), the US Peace Corps, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Caribbean Sub-Regional Office (CSO) of UN Environment. Trash Free Caribbean Waters Stakeholder Workshop in Kingston, Jamaica from Feb, Participants identified low cost demonstration projects for funding that will prevent litter from local communities polluting the Caribbean sea. NEPA as the lead agency for Trash Free Waters in Jamaica will request nominations for the establishment of a Steering Committee and develop a dedicated webpage on NEPA s website. They will also organize a meeting to finalize the project proposals that will be funded through UN Environment CEP. Transforming Litter into Value for our Caribbean Waters Workshop particiants visited (i) 360 Recycle Manufacturing in Kingston, Jamaica which is transforming waste into usable construction products, flower pots, water features, rock climbers and seating and (ii) Recycling Partners of Jamaica. Such initiatives may be good potential projects for future development. Participants of the Expert Group Meeting Participants visited sites during the captioned two day workshop in Kingston, Jamaica from Feb, Page 2

3 Why Wastewater? - World Water Day 2017 GEF CReW World Water Day 2017 was celebrated with a focus on wastewater under the theme Why Wastewater? on 22nd March. The Global Environment Facility Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (GEF CReW) Project highlighted their experience of wastewater management in the Wider Caribbean Region and some of the opportunities for the sustainable financing of resources. Public education materials were featured in a local exhibition, distributed to high schools in Jamaica, and shared via social media and the project s website. These efforts enabled the project to raise awareness on wastewater and the ways in which the GEF CReW Project has responded to wastewater challenges faced by countries of the Wider Caribbean. Read more here. IWEco news GEF CReW Resources Under Component III of the GEF CReW Project, which is executed by the UN Environment CEP, several resources are now available on the project s website. These include: -The project s Terminal Evaluation (Ref:UNEP (DEPI)/CAR IG.38/INF.4 - Case studies and experience notes - Short documentary videos and other public education and outreach materials New materials continue to be added in English and Spanish so keep visiting the GEF CReW website. Learn more here and visit the resources, media and publications sections of the website for more information. Page 3

4 GEF CReW CReW s Lines - Highlighting GEF CReW Achievements In its final issue, CReW s Lines, the newsletter for the GEF CReW Project, shares its major highlights and achievements of the project, and reflections from participating countries and part- ners on the implementation of the project since Check out the last issue of the CReWs Lines. Looking Forward CReW+ The GEF CReW Project is scheduled to finish in mid However, the results of the project have already led to the development of what is being called CReW+. This new project will focus on upscaling and enhancing the experience of the CReW by promoting an integrated approach to innovative technical solutions and financing mechanisms. CReW+ has received the endorsement of 18 countries across the Wider Caribbean Region and the project proposal was submitted to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for consideration. Learn more about the project through this short presentation or read the proposal here (Ref.:UNEP(DEPI)/CAR WG.37/INF.14) GEF CReW Partners with UN Environment CEP for Intergovernmental Meetings The GEF CReW Project partnered with the UN Environment CEP to host its Seventeenth Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM17) on the Action Plan for the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) and Fourteenth Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP14) to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Ma- rine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention) which were held from March 2017 in Cayenne, French Guiana. GEF CReW partners with UN Environment CEP for Intergovernmental meetings The meetings recognized the work done within the project over its five year implementation and celebrated its accomplish- ments with an exhibition of project resources and promotional materials followed by a cocktail. Page 4

5 National Activities under the GEF CReW GEF CReW National activities are winding down as the GEF CReW Project comes to a close. Substantial progress has been made to identify infrastructure options for wastewater management in the participating countries; identifying values and benefits of wastewater options; increasing understanding and capacity on valuing coastal ecosystems and wastewater management options, and improving understanding of the connectionbetween wastewater treatment and coastal ecosystems.these are two of the country highlights from Antigua & Barbuda and Panama: Antigua and Barbuda: Activities to improve the infrastructure options for waste-water management in the McKinnons and Yorks areas and to enhance knowledge and national capacity for wastewater management are close to completion. Efforts continue to test the reuse of potential wastewater from the sewage treatment plant. There is also interest by the private sector in the reuse of wastewater in Antigua & Barbuda. Preparation of a security fence for the sewage treatment Panama: Studies on Economic Valuation for the Management of Wastewater in Panama have been completed. These results provide further insight into the value of proper wastewater management on our coastal areas. Several information products have been prepared and will be available from the Panama country page of the GEF CReW website. N.B. Outputs from other national activities are being updated on the country pages of the GEF CReW website. Stay tuned!! Page 5

6 GEF CLME+ Ecosystem-Based Management Workshop On 11th March 2017, the GEF-funded Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems Project ( the UNDP/ GEF CLME+ Project ) coordinated an Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) Work shop in Cayenne, French Guiana. Representatives attended from Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana and Trinidad and Tobago as well as from the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project Management Unit, Food and Agricultural Organization, University of the West Indies - Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies, World Wildlife Foundation and Counterpart International. The Workshop reviewed the draft proposal for the development of an EBM approach to the North Brazil Shelf, and agreed on activities for the future implementation of the project. The proposal will be submitted to the UNDP/GEF CLME + Project Coordinating Unit for approval. Implementation activities are expected to commence by May For more details of the CLME+ Project, please click here. Page 6

7 Communication Linkages Workshop: Cuba GEF IWEco The Global Environment Facility Project for Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (GEF IWEco) and its Communcation Partners met in Havana, Cuba from 28th-29th March Participants discussed how to support countries and agencies in the startup of activities for the project. They also identified priority and developed a draft workplan and budget. Communication Partners share a wide Caribbean greeting at the GEF IWEco Communication Workshop held in Havana, Cuba from March 28-29, 2017 We are Hiring: Recruitment Underway The following positions were advertised for the GEF IWEco Project Coordinating Unit recently: - Programme Management Assistant - Associate Programme Management Officer - Public Information Officer - Regional Project Coordinator - Programme Management Assistant The selection process is on-going and this should be completed within the next quarter of For more information on the GEF IWEco project, please visit the CEP website or click here. Page 7

8 Data Validation Workshop State of the Convention Area Report (SOCAR) The Secretariat organized a Workshop of Technical Experts focused on improving input to the State of Convention Area (SOCAR) Report in Cayenne, French Guiana on 13 March Eighteen (18) experts from governments, research institutions and specialized agencies from the Wider Caribbean region attended. Participants re- viewed the status of national datasets and the limitations and challenges for data submission for SOCAR. The core set of water quality and socio-economic parameters were defined and the method for data processing and analysis adopted. During the Meeting of the Conference of Parties held from March 2017, an update of the progress of the SO-CAR report was presented. Decisions on the further development of the Reportwere approved by the delegates. Meeting participants at the SOCAR Meeting in Cayenne, French Guiana, March 13, Page 8

9 Oil Spills Response/RAC REMPEITC-Caribe Highlights Regional Workshop for Senior Maritime Administrators The Regional Activity Centre for Marine Pollution, Emergency, Training and Information Centre (RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe) participated in The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Regional Workshop for Senior Maritime Administrators (SMA) of the Wider Caribbean Region in Barbados from 7-8 February Maritime administra- tions of several of the Caribbean countries were in attendance. Keith Donohue, Consultant for the International Maritime Organization, RAC REMPEITC-Caribe presented information on its institutional arrangements, regional oil pollution related data, main international instruments, activities for the 2016/2017 biennium and the current staffing of the Centre. During the meeting, it was agreed that a regional approach to Port Reception Facilities (PRFs) was necessary as States were already challenged in the handling of domestic waste. It was also agreed during the workshop that a workgroup be established to focus on the Center s staffing. Following this decision, workgroup representatives from Curacao, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Grenada and others met with Dr. Pauline D. Yearwood, Deputy Programme Manager, Transportation, CARICOM Secretariat to develop a proposal to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) titled: Human Capital Strengthening of the Regional Activity and Training Centre - Wider Caribbean Region. This proposal was presented at the Seventeenth Intergovernmental Meeting on the Action Plan for the Caribbean Environment Programme and Fourteenth Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region held in Cayenne, (IGM) in French Guiana & is proposed to be presented at the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED). Representatives at the Regional Workshop for Senior Maritime Administrators in Barbados held from 7-8 February Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response Session of International Maritime Organization s (IMO) Sub- Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response, at IMO headquarters in London from January. During this session, delegates working on oil spill related issues finalized the IMO Template Courses for the International Conven- tion on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC); furthered discussions on sub-sea dispersant guidelines; and initiated discussions for a proposed comprehensive guideline to help developing states implement the OPRC Convention. Page Page 10 9

10 RAC CIMAB Highlights Experts from the Centre of Engineering and Environmental Management of Coasts and Bays (CIMAB) which functions as a Regional Activity Centre (RAC) for the Land Based Sources & Activities of Pollution Protocol, participated in Workshops on Analytical Techniques for Evaluation of Sewage and Marine Waters held during February and March This took place held at the Ministry of Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Mines of Honduras. Over 60 specialists participated in training on gener al procedures for sampling and characterization of coastal marine waters with focus on three water quality indicators: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The workshops were conducted through the main executing agency of the national subproject: Environmental Baseline of Domestic Residual Waters which impact on Coastal Marine Areas of Honduras, financed by the GEF CReW Project. Specialists participated in training session at the Ministry of Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Mines in Honduras. Participants test the quality of sewage and marine waters during Training in Honduras. Participants at the Analytical Techniques Training in Honduras financed by GEF CReW projects Page 10

11 LBS COP3 Third LBS Conference of Parties (LBSCOP3) & Meetings of the Contracting Parties to the Cartagena Convention The Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention successfully convened the third Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the LBS Protocol on 14 March Twelve of the thirteen Contracting Parties attended the meeting which was held in Cayenne, French Guiana. The participants reviewed and approved the workplan and budget over the past biennium. The Parties agreed on sixteen decisions during the third Confereence of Parties to the LBS Protocol and highlighted as follows: - Recent ratification of the LBS Protocol by the Governments of Jamaica and Costa Rica. - Progress made by non-contracting Parties to develop and implement pollution prevention programmes, projects and activities to ratify the Protocol and the importance of the Secretariat and Governments to participate in initiatives to improve the management of solid waste, plastics and marine litter. - The importance of Governments to actively participate in the global and regional Partnerships relating to nutrients, wastewater, solid waste and marine litter. The final meeting report and other meeting documentation are accessible on the CEP website. Participants at the 3rd LBS COP Meeting held on March 14, 2017 in French Guiana. IGM17/COP14 Participants at the IGM17/COP14 held on March 15-17, 2017 in French Guiana. The UN Environment CEP Secretariat with the support of the Government of France convened three Intergovernmental Meetings (IGM) from 13 to 17 March 2017 in Cayenne, French Guiana. Twenty-two Contracting Parties participated in the Conference of Parties agreed on nine decisions to guide the workplan of the Caribbean Environment Programme. The decisions and meeting presentations can be accessed here. Page 11

12 Check us out in the News In celebration of Caribbean Beat s 25th Anniversary, the inflight magazine featured the state of progress of preserving the Caribbean s precious natural resources. In Issue 144 for March/April edition, Mr. Christopher Corbin, Programme Officer of the Pollution sub-programme and Officer-in-Charge of Communications highlighted the progress made by Caribbean Governments in implementing policies to protect the environment. Click here for the Magazine, also available on the CEP Website. Guardian Newspaper hosts an online panel : How can we turn wastewater from nuisance toresource? To commemmorate World Water Day on March 22, Mr. Christopher Corbin, Programme Officer for the Pollution sub-programme joined a panel of experts to discuss the best solutions to reusing water. Page 12

13 Additional News Stories available in English & Spanish Page 13

14 Changes in the Secretariat Staff Welcome to Ms. Tracey Tucker who joined us as Secretary to the Fund Management Officer/ Team Assistant in January of this year. Ms. Patrich Dinnall who worked with UN Environment CEP as Administrative Assistant since 2016 left in Feb-ruary. Farewell Patrich! Mrs. Alessandra Vanzella-Khouri who has worked as ProgrammeOfficer for the SPAW Subprogramme for over 20 years retired effective March Thank you for your invaluable contribution to our region. Bon Voyage Alessandra! Consultant Intern Welcome to Mrs. Monica Borobia-Hill who joined the Secretariat in March as Consultant Interim Programme Officer for the SPAW subprogramme. Welcome to Ms. Jessica Stabile who is an Intern assisgned to the SPAW sub-programme from 21st March to 16th June Page 14

15 Social Media Continue to like, follow and share our posts. C E P Fa c e b o o k Likes have risen to over 4, L i k e s. Our Twitter Followers are now over 2,900 CEP also has a Youtube page so please checkout our videos. Visit the new RAC REMPEITC-Caribe website and boost likes on the Facebook page. Help them reach 300 likes! Show your support on their Twitter feed too! Continue to support efforts to share information on Wastewater and sewage through the GEF CReW Facebook page. Help us to get to 600 likes. #CEPIGM17: Your Voice We love to HEAR from YOU!!! During the IGM, Contracting Parties were asked the value of the Cartagena Convention & to share their expectations of the Meetings. Some of our Partners & Contracting Governments took a moment to share their views. Check social media to hear their voices! Focal Point Corner Government Focal Points should provide any updates on contact details for their national and technical focal points. Please send news items, pictures and/or stories for our website, social media and newsletters. ******** Keep updated on upcoming meetings and events by checking out our online calendar. ******** Please update us on your activities for World Environment Day and World Oceans Day in June. Page 15

16 Upcoming Events Page 16

17 Upcoming Events (Cont d) Page 17