*[Enwl-eng] [cenn] CENN Conducts National PRTR Implementation Workshop

[ENWL.Bellona]

CENN Conducts a National PRTR Implementation Workshop for the Pollutant
Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Model Development Initiative

On December 20, 2011, at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, CENN organized a
National PRTR Implementation Workshop for the Pollutant Release and
Transfer Register (PRTR) model development initiative.

The purpose of the meeting was the presentation to and subsequent
discussion among relevant stakeholders of the draft version of the project
proposal developed under the initiative and the formulation of ensuing
steps.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of state agencies, the NGO
sector, scientific circles and the industrial sector, as well as the
members of the National Coordination Group established within the framework
of the project and an expert from the United Nations Institute for Training
and Research (UNITAR), Ms Irina Zastenskaya.

The summary meeting was opened by Ms Nino Tkhilava, Head of the
Environmental Policy and International Relations Department of the Ministry
of Environment Protection of Georgia and the SAICM National Focal Point for
Georgia. Ms. Tkhilava noted the significance of the Pollutant Release and
Transfer Register for the country and stressed the need to comply with
international obligations.

On May 21, 2003 at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus
Convention, organized within the framework of the 5th Ministerial
Conference Environment for Europe, Georgia signed the Protocol on Pollutant
Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) and thus expressed its commitment
towards the necessity of creation of PRTRs in the country together with
other 35 states and the EC.

Ms Nino Gokhelashvili, Head of International Relations Division at the
Ministry of Environment Protection, and the Aarhus Convention National
Focal Point for Georgia, spoke about further steps aimed at the
implementation of PRTR in Georgia and the ratification of the protocol. Ms
Gokhelashvili positively assessed the implemented project and noted that
groundwork for the ratification of the protocol was already in place.

Initiatives implemented on the international level in terms of PRTR were
introduced to the attendees of the meeting by the UNITAR expert, Ms Irina
Zastenskaya.

The results of pilot projects carried out with the participation of
HeidelbergCement Caucasus, Ltd. were also presented at the meeting. The
pilot project aimed at the small-scale application and examination of the
National PRTR Model and the registration – using modern methodology – of
pollutants released into the surrounding environment by the enterprise; in
particular, the assessment of the possibility of the application of the
CORINAIR methodology on the example of one of the industrial sectors in the
country. The pilot project verified the correctness of the National PRTR
Model developed within the framework of the initiative. Moreover, it
demonstrated that the adoption and application of the CORINAIR methodology
will not be feasible in Georgia without the implementation of relevant
changes.

During the second part of the meeting, a working version of the project
proposal was discussed, which, upon its completion, will be submitted to
governmental agencies for consideration and approval. The project proposal
features the National PRTR Model, including technical characteristics; it
also identifies the activities, which should be carried out in the country
in order to ensure the enactment of the National Pollutant Release and
Transfer Register, and outlines an action plan for the implementation of
these activities.

At the conclusion of the meeting, further steps were discussed during group
work; the implementation of these is necessary for the enactment/operation
of the National PRTR in Georgia. Requirements for the improvement of the
legislative and reporting systems, the development of methodologies and
guidelines, as well as the implementation of relevant trainings were
identified. The results of the group work will be taken into account in the
project proposal.

The development of the National PRTR Model is being implemented by CENN
under the project “Strengthening Capacities for Designing a National
Pollutant Release and Transfer Register and Supporting Strategic Approach
to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Implementation in Georgia”,
with technical assistance from UNITAR and financial support of the SAICM
Quick Start Programme Trust Fund (QSP TF).

For more information please visit the PRTR website at the following link:
<http://www.prtr-georgia.org/> www.prtr-georgia.org

or contact:

Nino Shavgulidze

CENN

T +995 32 275 19 03 / 04
F +995 32 275 19 05
M +995 577 74 22 19
<mailto:nino.sha...@cenn.org> nino.sha...@cenn.org
<http://www.cenn.org/> www.cenn.org

From: "Info CENN" <in...@cenn.ge>
To: "0" <enwl...@lew.spb.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 5:52 PM
Subject: [cenn] CENN Conducts National PRTR Implementation Workshop