United Nations Environment Programme
UNEPs work on Hg release inventories
Gunnar Futster, Chemicals Branch, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, UNEP
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Types of inventories
Global Hg release inventories National Hg release inventories
Tools: UNEP Toolkit for the Identification and Quantification of Hg Releases Main challenge: obtain data
Why national inventories ?
Inventories are the basis for prioritizing actions
Identify key sectors and stakeholders Initiate Hg communication with stakeholders Helps identifying environments and populations at risk Monitoring progress in reduction efforts
UNEP's Mercury Inventory Toolkit 2 levels of detail
Level 1: - Default factors and guidance provided; - Simplified and standardised procedure and tools for basic inventories Level 2: Open framework; encourages use of specific national data
THE TOOLKIT IS FOR GUIDANCE ONLY
Toolkit key principle
Mass balance principle used: Hg inputs Hg output distribution Hg releases in the whole life cycle of product/material Hg releases to all media/pathways
Fuels Air
Input raw Cement plant material
Water
Landfill
Product (cement)
Global Mercury Assessment 2013
Summary report for policy makers
Technical Background Report
Global Hg Assessment 2013 - Emissions estimates
New and improved methodology: Differences in pollution control technologies factored into the calculations Differences in Hg content in fuels and raw material factored into the calculations. A more detailed analysis of some major sectors (e.g. ASGM, combustion of fossil fuels, oil refineries, aluminium production ) Extensive expert engagement
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Methodology
Why this complex methodology ?
To develop realistic estimates, not just
for the global total, but for individual countries
Our approach is designed to reflect that
individual countries can be very different from the global average
GMA 2013: emissions to air
Similar patterns to the 2005 with some new features Regional differences
Cement production: Total Global Hg Emissions
Cement: Hg emissions from cement in % of the national total Hg emissions
Cement: Countries with cement emissions > 10% of their national total
Fuels used
Accurate Hg emission estimates possible?
Depends on: Content in raw material, Fuels used (including waste) Efficiency of abatement technologies Operational conditions Is it possible to provide reliable data on all issues?
Two approaches to estimate emission: Measurements of flue gases Mass balance
Thank you for your attention!
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