Transcript Title of presentation
Sound Management of Chemicals
Executive Director’s Overview
Sound Management of Chemicals Working
Group and Stakeholders San Antonio, Texas March 31, 2009 Commission for Environmental Cooperation
CEC Chemicals Program
Three National Environment Ministers Trade and Environment Biodiversity Hazardous Waste and Enforcement SEM Unit PRTR, Air Quality NA Atlas, SoE Communications Commission for Environmental Cooperation Chemicals Program Sound Management of Chemicals Monitoring and Assessing Pollutants Across NA NARAPs SCC Implementation Joint Public Advisory Committee New Directions Commission for Environmental Cooperation
North American Environmental Strategy
Development Today
Turbulence, uncertainty predominate
• • Conflicting priorities for government Climate change, economic crisis, energy issues Currently no clear vision • • • Need to be alert for changing agendas Identify and seize opportunities Understand trade implications Partner with global priorities
Reality check… no job, no money, no home
Does human health/environment become less of a priority?
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Questions Shaping Today’s Environmental Agenda
Priority One: Economy/Energy/Climate Economic Stimulus/Energy/Climate Change
Impact on environmental priorities? Can “green” survive?
US and Canada bilateral priority:
How will energy supply (oil sands/coal) and carbon challenges emerge?
Role for trilateral cooperation agendas?
Ambitious goals to reduce GHG by 2020
Opportunities for regional cooperation, policy coordination?
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Post-Kyoto regime
Role for market-based strategies?
Questions Shaping Today’s Environmental Agenda
Secondary Priority? Environment/Sustainability Free trade and the environment
What are implications of re-opening NAFTA/NAAEC?
Global conventions and agreements
Does NA environmental management have a role?
CEC’s role in capacity building
Can capacity building be sustained?
Capacity building beyond technical to strategic
North American (chemical) security
What role does the trilateral initiative have? • SPP’s Statement of Intent on Chemicals Cooperation CEC SMOC as a delivery tool Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Possible Directions for the CEC
1. Engage in the process of closing the 2005-2010 cycle.
2. Focus on benefits for Small and Medium Enterprises
greening industrial processes energy efficiency, and life-cycle approach
with a perspective on the competitiveness of NA 3.
Re-evaluate capacity building efforts and incorporate a regional perspective. 4. Expert’s participation in strategic considerations
in line with regional/global challenges in coordination with global directions for the CEC Commission for Environmental Cooperation
CEC Initiatives
1. Assist the Parties in formulating a strong political message
on NAFTA and the Environment on regional risk reduction on extra-regional influence (GRULAC)
2. Explore, with Party experts, opportunities to align CEC
with Economic stimulus packages with climate change priorities with energy agenda
3. Re-kindle opportunities on environmental health of children 4. Actively pursue public participation
as an asset to constructing a NA view including the SEM process.
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The Legacy of the CEC’s SMOC Program
Provides validated information for appropriate decisions
Emphasizing sustained infrastructure
Opens door for establishing and maintaining regional centers of excellence (GRULAC, UNEP)
Inter/intra laboratory validation and certification (ISO17025) Scientific credibility Support from outside funding for sustainability
Case study for other regional/global initiatives
OECD, SAICM, UNEP, GRULAC GLBTS, La Paz, New England/Eastern Canada agenda
Outstanding successes of NARAPs
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CEC SMOC Program The Next Generation
Foundation development with a finite life span
encourage sustainable infrastructure for NA priorities
Strategic linkages with other regional/global chemical management initiatives
SAICM, OECD, REACH
Pre-empt reactive mode for chemical risk management
monitor and assess for prevention
Promote the “green” agenda for sectors
use economic stimulus as catalyst
Academic and officials exchange programs
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Muchas Gracias Merci Thank you
Felipe Adrián Vázquez-Gálvez
[email protected] Commission for Environmental Cooperation
© Commission for Environmental Cooperation / 2009
Three countries. One environment
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