GEF Focal Areas

1.1 Reducing Pollution from Harmful Chemicals and Wastes in Mediterranean Hotspots and Measuring Progress to Impacts.

1.3 Financing Advanced Environmental Technologies in the Mediterranean Sea Region for Water Systems and Clean Coasts.

4.1 Mediterranean Sea Basin Environment and Climate Project.

Over 100 million human-made chemicals and chemical formulations are used in every sector of the economy. When not used properly or disposed of safely, they pose significant risks for the environment and human health. Some of these chemicals are listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention or as mercury (Hg) under the Minamata Convention on Mercury and require global environmental sound management.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and mercury travel over large distances through air, water currents, are non-bio-degradable and bio- accumulative. When not safely managed and disposed of these toxic chemicals and wastes can pollute the environment and have harmful cancerogenic or endocrine distributive impacts on human health. These threats are greatest in developing and countries with developing economies, where regulation and safety measures are not well established.

The GEF Chemicals and Waste Focal acts as funding mechanism for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Minamata Convention on Mercury and addresses activities related to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). The Chemicals and Waste Focal Area focuses on eliminating chemicals covered by the above conventions that are used in or emitted from industrial and agricultural sectors. The GEF works to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition to eliminate the most harmful chemicals, which are covered by the Stockholm Convention, Minamata Convention, and Montreal Protocol.

The GEF/UN Environment “Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme): Enhancing Environmental Security” is the first GEF programmatic multi-focal area initiative in the Mediterranean Sea addressing issues of disposal and prevention of chemicals and waste in the Mediterranean region. Actions are being implemented under Child Project 1.1, and 1.3 aimed to reduce and manage pollution. For instance, Child Project 1.1 aims to dispose off 1350 tons and prevent up to 650 metric tons of new POPs via 3 country pilot demonstration projects on alternatives to new POPs in manufacturing.