On the first day of #MinamataCOP4 in #Bali, proceedings began with a beautiful traditional performance of the ‘frangipani dance’. Delegates then got into the thick of the negotiations but before we start unpacking what was discussed at COP4, I thought it might be useful to unpack the Minamata Convention itself.

The Minamata Convention is a multilateral environmental agreement that addresses specific human activities contributing to widespread mercury pollution. The Convention covers the entire life cycle of mercury – from production to waste – and sets ambitious objectives that could rapidly effect the supply of and demand for mercury.

Specifically, the Convention aims to:
• Reduce and eliminate the use and release of mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM);
• Control mercury air emissions from coal-fired power plants, industrial boilers, certain metals production operations, waste incineration and cement production;
• Phase-out measures to reduce mercury use in products, including batteries, switches, lights, cosmetics, pesticides, and dental amalgam;
• Phase-out the use of mercury in manufacturing processes;
• Address the supply and trade of mercury, including safer storage and disposal, and strategies to address contaminated sites; and
• Provide technical assistance, information exchange, public awareness, and research and monitoring, with periodical evaluations to assess its effectiveness.

It’s pretty complicated, but at COP4 we had some main points under discussion: proposed amendments to Annex A (mercury-added products) and B (manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used); the effectiveness evaluation; and an informal agreement on a declaration regarding illegal mercury trade; and of course, finance.

The discussions were technical in nature, but I’ll unpack some of the issues to help you understand what’s really going on and why it’s important. In the meantime, be sure to check out our daily coverage at: https://enb.iisd.org/Minamata-Convention-Mercury-COP4-2/21Mar22

#MakeMercuryHistory #MinamataConvention #mercury #UNEP #chemicalsmanagement #globalnegotiations #onassignment #stories #livingfiercely