ANNUAL R E P O RT 2013

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT 2013

2 Toxic pollution is estimated to affect at least 200 million people worldwide, many of them children, making it an issue of global public health and reduced capacity to learn. GAHP and its members are helping low- and middle-income countries to protect vulnerable communities and save lives by reducing and preventing toxic exposures. > Jill Hanna, Delegated Representative, International Affairs, European Commission 2 > Agbogbloshie E-Waste Recycling Center, Ghana

3 Contents Executive Committee... Letter from the Chair of the Executive Committee... Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP)... Improving Understanding of the Scope of Toxic Pollution... Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP)... Raising Awareness... Scientific Research... The Poisoned Poor... Regulatory Best Practices for Legacy Remediation... Assisting Countries to Take Concrete Action... National Toxic Action Planning (NTAP)... Technical Guidance Documents... GAHP Pilot Projects... Indonesia: Mercury-Free Artisanal Gold Mining Trials... Accra, Ghana: E-waste... Buenos Aires, Argentina: Soil Contamination... Montevideo, Uruguay: Toxic Hotspots... Lima, Peru: Used Lead Acid Battery Recycling... Sumagayit, Azerbaijan: Industrial Center... Akhtala, Armenia: Mine Tailings... Integration with International Efforts... Toxic Pollution, Chemicals and Wastes & the Sustainable Development Agenda... Measuring Results... Institutional Results... Achieving Health Impact... Financial Highlights ANNUAL REPORT 3

4 Executive Committee J. R. Nereus Acosta Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection, Office of the President, Government of the Philippines Zoubida Allaoua Acting Vice President, Sustainable Development Network, World Bank Naomi Chakwin Resident Director, Europe, Asian Development Bank Richard Fuller President, Blacksmith Institute Jill Hanna Delegated Representative, International Affairs European Commission Helmut Krist Officer for Contracts and Cooperation, Chemical Safety Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Heinz Leuenberger Director Energy and Cleaner Production Branch, UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Marthe Rahelimalala Chief of Environmental Pollution Control and SAICM Focal Point, Ministry of Environment, Madagascar 4

5 > (Left) Mercury Mining House, Ghana > (Right) Artisanal Gold Mining, Tanzania 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 5

6 6 > E-Waste Recycling in Qingyang City, Guangdong Province, China

7 Letter From the Chair of the GAHP Executive Committee Toxic pollution is estimated to impact as many as 200 million people worldwide, making it a public health issue comparable to other major health issues such as malaria and HIV. The impact of toxic pollution tends to fall on poor and vulnerable communities in low- and middle-income countries and communities who are least equipped with the resources or capacity to tackle the problem. In July 2012, the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) was formed to assist low- and middle-income countries to deal with chemicals, waste and toxic pollution and their human health impacts. In its first 18 months of existence, GAHP has taken great strides forward with regard to publishing research on the burden of disease from toxic pollution, raising awareness amongst the international community about the scope of this issue, and helping nine countries to start prioritizing and planning responses to toxic pollution. It also started seven pilot projects to minimize human health exposures to toxic contamination in countries such as Indonesia, Ghana and Peru. Through its activities and members, GAHP is helping the international community to better understand just how many people are affected by hazardous waste and chemicals, and what that means for poverty reduction, sustainable economic growth, natural resources and urban development. As countries gain more knowledge about the toxic pollution problems that affect their populations, GAHP is also making sure that knowledge and information about solutions are readily accessible, along with provision of technical and financial resources, especially for the poorest countries. GAHP is also facilitating technology transfer, including South- South knowledge exchange, to enable market-based solutions for problems ranging from mercury contamination due to artisanal gold mining to lead poisoning from unsafe used lead acid battery recycling and smelting. The challenges are many, but it is an exciting time to be planning GAHP s future. Securing financial resources and providing technical assistance, guidance documents, standards and other tools to mitigate human health impacts remain key priorities. The good news is that solutions to these problems exist, and they can be replicated in many countries. In just 18 months, GAHP has burgeoned from an abstract idea into a reputable alliance dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by toxic pollution on a daily basis, all around the world. Zoubida Allaoua, GAHP Executive Committee Chair 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 7

8 Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) The Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) is a collaborative body tasked with coordinating resources and activities on chemicals, wastes and toxic pollution in low- and middle-income countries. GAHP envisions a world safe from toxic pollution. Its mission is to help low- and middle-income countries clean up legacy toxic hotspots, prevent re-contamination and guard against future pollution. Currently, the GAHP has 30 members: three multilateral development banks (Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank), two bilateral agencies (the European Commission and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), twelve Ministries of Environment (Cameroon, Indonesia, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Senegal, Togo and Uruguay), the Ministry of Health of Tajikistan, two city governments (Buenos Aires and Montevideo), four NGOs (Blacksmith Institute, KPBB, the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, The Earth Institute and Fundación Chile), three UN agencies (the UN Development Program, the UN Industrial Development Organization and the UN Environment Program), and two universities (Suez Canal University and The Children s Environmental Health Center of The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai). GAHP activities are implemented by the Secretariat, currently hosted by Blacksmith Institute and governed by an Executive Committee. A variety of organizations are observing GAHP, including the World Health Organization, the Global Environment Facility, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Agency for International Development, the International Council of Chemicals Associations and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency. A Technical Advisory Group provides key technical expertise and advice to GAHP operations and activities. Currently, the GAHP is supported by financing from the European Commission and the World Bank. 8

9 > RAMCAR Used Lead Acid Battery Plant, Philippinnes GAHP s Main Objectives 1. To raise awareness about chemicals, wastes and toxic pollution, its human health and environmental impacts and promote mainstreaming into development agendas/ strategies; 2. To assist low- and middle-income countries to take concrete action to address chemicals, wastes and toxic pollution and their impacts on human health, including remediation and prevention of future contamination; and 3. To ensure integration with ongoing and future international efforts on chemicals and hazardous wastes to minimize gaps, reduce duplication of effort, and maximize resources ANNUAL REPORT 9

10 Manufacturing and mining can have an enormous and sometimes long term impact on the environment and human health, requiring urgent action to redress the situation. As a member of GAHP, UNIDO will continue to help transition manufacturing and mining sectors to more sustainable and green practices for the benefit of people and the environment. > Li Yong, Director General, UNIDO 10 > Metal Plant Worker, Tajikistan

11 Through its international network, GAHP assists low- and middle-income countries to access resources to address toxic pollution and to develop and share pollution remediation strategies and technical expertise with each other. By banding together, we are creating the world s largest platform for launching efforts and innovations to fight toxic pollution, says Richard Fuller, president of the Blacksmith Institute. There is a growing demand for pollution cleanup. The GAHP is here to coordinate and incubate ideas, and to assist any country that asks for help. GAHP works with countries such as Senegal, the Philippines, Indonesia and others to raise awareness about pollution and encourage it to be addressed in country development strategies. GAHP is also assisting countries to define strategic action plans to address the issue, and build capacity to identify toxic hotspots, conduct technical analysis, and implement remediation projects. GAHP further helps countries build stakeholder support and political will, and provides guidance on technical issues, standards and methodologies. GAHP is also focused on metrics-based results. Progress is measured against the targets in GAHP s Implementation Strategy, as well as additional indicators for projects focused specifically on mitigating health risk from toxic exposures, including WHO health metrics, such as Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) saved and Cost per DALY. Further details on metrics-based performance can be found below. GAHP is not yet a legal entity. It currently operates through its Secretariat, Blacksmith Institute. GAHP is exploring methodologies for incorporation and intends to become an independent institution within the next months. GAHP s core support comes from the World Bank and European Commission (via UNIDO and FAO). From July , GAHP also received funding from Green Cross Switzerland, and in-kind support from Blacksmith Institute, Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, the Pocantico Center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and UNEP. During this 18-month time frame, GAHPs budget was $3,930,487. A breakdown of activities by expenses is included in the Financial Highlights section ANNUAL REPORT 11

12 Improving Understanding of the Scope of Toxic Pollution Until recently, very little information was available on the scope of toxic pollution in low- and middleincome countries, with the exception of Mexico, China and existing databases on pesticides stockpiles. Data on human health exposures was sparse or non-existent. Thus, it has been difficult to grasp the extent of contamination in terms of human health risk and impact on natural resources at a national level. In order for the international community and countries to begin to take action to mitigate the impacts of toxic pollution, chemicals and hazardous wastes on human health, decision-makers need to have key information and understanding about the scope of chemicals, wastes and toxic pollution in their country so that they can prioritize areas for intervention. The Toxic Site Identification Program (TSIP), funded in part by the European Commission, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, and led by Blacksmith Institute and UNIDO, in collaboration with national country governments and relevant civil society stakeholders (academia, NGOs, etc.), has begun to fill that gap by providing a greater level of information, identifying polluted sites and estimating human health impact in nearly 50 countries. GAHP Strategic Objective 1: Raising Awareness & Mainstreaming Progress to date: 4 global reports on toxic pollution, and 9 country-based reports disseminated 2 issues of the Journal of Health and Pollution released 4 direct country-requests for GAHP support (Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico and Peru) 3 scientific research articles published in internationally renowned journals 12

13 Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP) The Toxic Site Identification Program (TSIP) endeavors to identify and screen contaminated sites in low- and middle-income countries where public health is at risk. The TSIP is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of such sites, but rather is an effort to begin to understand the scope of the problem. More than 3,200 sites have been identified so far, and more than 1,800 screened on site. These sites alone represent a potential health risk to more than 80 million poor people. However, these 3,100 sites likely represent a small fraction of the overall total. By way of example, over the past twenty years, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has identified tens of thousands of sites in the US alone that require remediation, and its National Priorities List for urgent remediation currently contains more than 1,300 sites. 1 Analysis of the data and trends in the TSIP database indicates that as many as 200 million people may be affected. In order to carry out site assessments, Blacksmith utilizes a network of national experts in each country to visit and document hazardous waste sites. These national investigators, often from the environment or health departments at a national university, are trained to identify and assess contaminated sites using a rapid assessment tool called the Initial Site Screening (ISS) protocol, adapted from the US EPA s Hazardous Ranking System. Government representatives also attend the training. The ISS identifies major elements of a contaminated site, including estimated population at risk, key pollutant information, human exposure pathway data and sampling data. As part of the training, a field visit is made by the group to demonstrate the methodology for assessing the human health impact of toxic sites. Since 2012, GAHP has held training workshops in nineteen countries, and trained more than 160 investigators and 120 government representatives how to identify and assess toxic sites ANNUAL REPORT 13

14 Raising Awareness One of GAHPs key objectives is to raise awareness about chemicals, wastes and toxic pollution, its human health and environmental impacts and promote mainstreaming into both national and international development agendas. In the 18 months since its establishment, GAHP has been actively disseminating information and promoting awareness about the size and scope of toxic pollution and its human health impacts globally, as well as spreading the word about GAHP. Below are some of the major highlights from 2012 and Scientific Research Using data from the Toxic Sites Identification Program, GAHP has been undertaking scientific research to document the human health impacts from toxic pollution, including establishing the burden of disease and cost of inaction. This research is necessary in order to establish broader support and motivate action at the international and national levels to mitigate the adverse impacts of toxic pollution, prevent future pollution and recontamination. Among the peer-reviewed articles published, the most significant were: n Approaches to Systematic Assessment of Environmental Exposures Posed at Hazardous Waste Sites in the Developing World: the Toxic Sites Identification Program (Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, May 2012). This was the first peerreviewed paper to discuss Blacksmith s approach to document exposures to toxins at sites around the world. It establishes the credibility for the TSIP data used to produce other papers moving forward. n The Burden of Disease from Pediatric Lead Exposure at Hazardous Waste Sites in Seven Asian Countries (Journal of Environmental Research, June 2012). This paper analyzed lead exposures at hazardous waste sites to determine the regional burden of disease of lead, particularly on children. It found that 189,725 children in the seven countries were at risk for diminished IQ as a result of exposures to elevated levels of lead. 14

15 n The Burden of Disease from Toxic Waste Sites in India, Indonesia and the Philippines in 2010 (Environmental Health Perspectives, July 2013). This paper found that the burden of disease, measured in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) at 373 toxic sites assessed in India, Philippines, and Indonesia was similar to that of malaria, or outdoor air pollution. GAHP has also been supporting developing country researchers to publish their work related to toxic pollution. In 2013, GAHP hosted two AuthorAid courses in which 74 environmental health researchers participated, and awarded eight small research grants (~$2,500 each) for developing country scientists to complete their research related to toxic chemical pollution, health impacts, environmental control and remediation. In addition, the Journal of Health and Pollution, formed in 2011 by Blacksmith Institute as an online, public access peer-reviewed journal, released a series of papers focused specifically on toxic pollution and its health impacts, many of which were authored by developing country researchers. The Poisoned Poor In June 2013, GAHP published its first joint GAHP member report, entitled The Poisoned Poor: Toxic Exposures in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. The report summarizes key issues about those populations most affected by toxic pollution, and presents up to date research on the burden of disease from hazardous waste sites. Among its main findings is that heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, radionuclides and other toxic substances can be found at dangerous levels at thousands of sites around the world, in drinking water, soil, air and food. The burden of disease from these hazardous wastes sites may be as big as malaria or outdoor air pollution in some countries. Despite the daunting estimate that as many as 200 million people may be affected worldwide by acutely toxic contamination, the report offers concrete solutions for countries to 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 15

16 16 > (Left) Kids Sitting by Waste Site, India > (Right) Mercury from Artisanal Gold Mining

17 begin to tackle their toxic pollution issues, including the Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP), which enables countries to better understand their major pollution problems, and prioritize areas for intervention based on human health impact, among other needs. The GAHP s National Toxic Action Planning process brings together different branches of government, such as the Ministries of Health, Environment, Industry and Finance, along with donor agencies and other important stakeholders to mainstream the issue, and define and implement a strategy to address the most urgent health problems. The report also highlights the links between of toxic pollution, poverty, sustainable economic growth and development, natural resources, urbanization, and food and water security. Finally, it provides several replicable examples of different pollution interventions that illustrate the benefits of clean up, prevention of toxic emissions, and how coordination amongst different partners and stakeholders can lead to tangible, positive impacts on affected communities. The report has been widely distributed amongst the international community and has helped support the argument for why the issue of chemicals and wastes should be integrated into the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals. It is also available on Regulatory Best Practices for Legacy Remediation In November 2013, GAHP published a report Regulatory Best Practices for Remediation of Legacy Toxic Contamination which examines environmental remediation laws and regulations in seven Latin American countries and the US, and identifies practices that have proven to be particularly effective. Conducted by GAHP member the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, the report highlights policies and practices in Latin America that work to facilitate the clean up of toxic pollution. The multi-national team, which included pro-bono environmental law experts from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and the US, examined and analyzed the rules and regulations governing the environment in each of their countries to determine what worked, why and how. Drawing on examples of lessons learned from these countries, the report condensed the findings into six governing principles, creating a practical legal guide that can be used for further refinement and discussion as environmental remediation laws are implemented, fine-tuned, and modified throughout Latin America, as well as other countries. The report is available in English and Spanish on ANNUAL REPORT 17

18 Assisting Countries to Take Concrete Action People affected by pollution are much more likely to get sick from other diseases, be chronically ill, and have reduced neurological development, physical and mental disabilities and a shortened lifespan. This reduces quality of life, results in significant costs for public health and can aggravate poverty. Without cleanup, contaminated sites pose long-term environmental and health problems, and can significantly impede economic and social development. One of GAHP s main focuses is to assist countries to take concrete, on-the-ground action to mitigate the adverse impacts of toxicants on human health. This includes both providing technical expertise, capacity building and training, well as on the-job training and financial support for pilot project implementation. National Toxic Action Planning (NTAP) Many countries already have a strong set of regulations dealing with chemicals, hazardous wastes and toxic pollution, but enforcement varies, and the issue competes with other national priorities for funding and resources. Lack of understanding about the scope and impacts, as well as lack of technical expertise on how to deal with the issue has largely prevented it from becoming mainstreamed across the board. Working closely with a variety of governmental and nongovernmental GAHP Strategic Objective 2: Concrete Action Progress to date: TSIP active in 19 countries, and 524 toxic sites assessed National toxics action planning in process in 9 countries 7 GAHP pilot projects underway 2 GAHP technical guidance documents published 18

19 > Clean-up and Community Health Education Project, Dong Mai, Vietnam stakeholders, GAHP has been assisting seven national governments, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Ghana, Kenya, Peru, and the Philippines and the city governments of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. GAHP helps them to understand the scope of the problem, especially its impacts on public health, the environment and integrity of natural resources, prioritize areas for intervention, and begin to mainstream the issue of toxic pollution, chemicals and waste into policies and development strategies. The first stage of this process involves securing government commitment to the issue and transferring the responsibility of the collection of data and information related to chemicals, waste and toxic pollution to a designated agency. Next, GAHP assists government agencies to conduct needs assessment related to internal capacity and to draft a plan to deal with priority areas for immediate action, as well as those areas which need additional investment or outside support. GAHP then works with government agencies to define funding and technical mechanisms and needs for implementation. It helps countries to incorporate their needs into a country plan, define budgetary requirements, identify funding sources, including national and international funding streams, and engage with donor agencies located in country or internationally, especially GAHP members. The NTAP process is a key step to enabling countries to strategically take on-the-ground action to prevent and reduce the impacts of toxic pollution ANNUAL REPORT 19

20 Projects Technical Guidance Documents In an effort to respond to country needs for guidance documents and useful tools to address the issue of toxic pollution, the GAHP Technical Advisory Group released two guidance documents for countries. The first is on Soil Screening Levels, and addresses the selection and use of screening levels in prioritizing contaminated sites for remediation efforts. The second is on Containment of Lead Material and addresses the appropriate use and the key design elements of onsite engineered containment systems, where this is an option for lead-bearing material collected during the process of remediating lead contaminated sites. Both are available on under Resources. GAHP Pilot Projects In late 2012, GAHP launched a competitive small grants program for low- and middle-income countries to pilot innovative solutions to toxic pollution problems, and to test how GAHP, as an entity made up of a variety of actors, can cooperate to assist countries to mitigate the impacts of toxic pollution. A total of $585,000 was awarded for seven pilot projects that met a variety of criteria, including a clear focus on human health, a strong capacity building element, and the ability to be replicated. Projects also needed to fit into at least one of three categories: n Grassroots support. Local communities are the ones directly impacted by toxic pollution. As such, their role in environmental governance, efforts to promote enforcement of pollution control, and reduce health impacts, especially for their children, is crucial. Projects under this category will demonstrate how GAHP can support local grassroots/civil society efforts to take concrete action. n Government request. Countries that are interested and serious about addressing toxic pollution should have access to technical assistance and financial support for priority projects. Projects here aim to illustrate how GAHP can respond to country needs. n Health risk. Country or community interest and awareness may not always be aligned with sites or issues that are the highest priority in terms of risk to human health. This category enables GAHP to draw attention to particularly severe and commonly overlooked problems, such as disaster prevention, emergency response, or artisanalrelated livelihood activities. 20

21 > (Left) Agbogbloshie E-Waste Recycling Center, Ghana > (Right) Agbogbloshie Dump Site, Ghana 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 21

22 22 > Mercury-free Monado Method, Sumbawa, Indonesia

23 Grassroots Support > Indonesia Mercury-Free Artisanal Gold Mining Trials Artisanal gold mining is an important subsistence livelihood for more than half a million miners and their families throughout Indonesia, most of whom use mercury, a dangerous neurotoxin, in the gold extraction process. This project is promoting mercury-free gold extraction methods in Indonesia to eliminate exposure risks from whole ore amalgamation and mercury-gold amalgam burning. The project, conducted in partnership with local NGO Yayasan Tambuhak Sinta, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, and the Philippines miners association Workers Cooperative of Emerald Mt, features South-South technology transfer from other small-scale gold miners, including a popular and effective method from the Philippines, and a plantbased technique from Manado, Indonesia. Both methods are based on increased and refined gravimetric separation. Both use the non-toxic chemical borax at the end stage burning of ore concentrate. The Manado method features a commonly found plant, the sugar palm to improve concentration methods. In 2013, project partners analyzed samples from over 50 locations throughout Indonesia to identify areas that could greatly benefit from mercury-free methods. The project is testing these mercury-free methods in locations such as Lombok, Sumbawa, Kalimantan and East Java. Project activities also include health outreach campaigns and coordinating with national and local government authorities and community groups. Award amount: $260,000. Total population affected: 43,000. > Accra, Ghana E-waste This project is convening government agencies, scrap metal and e-waste recyclers, local community members and local NGOs to phase out the open burning of wires and unsafe electronic and electric recycling practices at Agbogbloshie market in Accra, the second largest e-waste processing area in West Africa. The sheathed cables are burned to remove the copper material inside. During the burning process, heavy metals and other toxicants can migrate through particulates in the smoke. Significant amounts are also left behind in the soil, putting an estimated 40,000 people at risk. The project is piloting wire-stripping technology and mobile recycling units (in shipping containers) and community education and awareness to eliminate burning and community exposures to toxic chemicals and metals. Award amount: $75,000. Total population affected: 50, ANNUAL REPORT 23

24 Government Request > Buenos Aires, Argentina Soil Contamination This project is working with the City of Buenos Aires to characterize the extent of soil contamination at the former shipbreaking yard Ex-Astillero Osvaldo Taconni located in the Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin near the densely populated settlement of Villa (pop. 45,000). The river is over 60 kilometres long and passes through 14 municipalities in Buenos Aires. Dangerously elevated levels of zinc, lead, copper, nickel and chromium were found at the site, including in an area used by local children as a playground. Significant contamination of well-water was also documented. The site characterization will be used by the City to develop a suitable remediation plan, and will be integrated into a larger City government project to construct affordable housing. Award amount: $75,000. Total population affected: 1,000. > Montevideo, Uruguay Toxic Hotspots This pilot project, conducted in partnership with the City of Montevideo, is evaluating and cleaning up micro toxic hotspots located in residential areas throughout the Cuenca del Arroyo Pantanoso (Pantanoso River Basin) in the city of Montevideo. Blood sampling found elevated lead levels in local children under age six, associated with exposure to lead from contaminated electronic/electric waste recycling areas. The project is enabling the evaluation of in-situ remediation technologies to limit the bioavailability of lead, such as the use of phosphates, and exploring options to formalize the recycling industry to protect livelihoods, health and the urban environment. Blacksmith Institute trained the City Government to assess and remediate in site assessment and micro lead contaminated hotspots. Clean up activities, such as shallow scraping of contaminated soil, removal to municipal landfill, and backfilling with clean fill, to remove high soil lead concentrations were carried out in two areas of the Aquiles Lanza neighborhood. The project team is also working with local communities to raise awareness about the hazards of cable and electronic waste burning. Award amount: $80,000. Total population affected: 15,000. > Lima, Peru Used Lead Acid Battery Recycling Working with the Peruvian Ministry of Environment, this project is conducting a situational analysis of used lead acid battery recycling in Lima, through surveys of communities and soil sampling to confirm unsafe recycling activities, elevated concentrations of lead, and to better understand the scope of the problem. A guide to reduce the health risks involved 24

25 > (Left) Montevideo Pilot Project, Uruguay > (Right) Sampling for lead contamination in Montevideo, Uruguay 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 25

26 26 > Legacy contamination from soviet chemicals munitions factory in Horlivka, Ukraine

27 with the handling of ULABs will be developed and disseminated throughout Peru. Award Amount: $30,000. Total population affected: 25,000. > Sumagayit, Azerbaijan Industrial Center During the Soviet era, Sumgayit was a major industrial center with over 40 factories that produced metals and chemicals. Today, Sumgayit is plagued with environmental challenges that the industrialization process left in its wake. Over the last decade, the municipal and national government have taken important steps to reduce the impacts of the city s industrial legacy, including closing polluting factories, upgrading facilities, treating contaminated wastewater and transferring contaminated materials to a secure facility. Despite this progress, area soil test results show that large areas are still highly contaminated with heavy metals and other pollutants known to impact human health. This project is working in conjunction with the government and private sector on several initiatives to improve environmental health, not only in Sumgayit, but also throughout Azerbaijan. Project partners are currently convening stakeholder groups and developing partnerships with the relevant ministries. Award amount: $30,000. Total population affected: 10,000. > Akhtala, Armenia Mine Tailings Conducted in partnership with the American University of Armenia (AUA), this risk to human health project is conducting soil assessment, blood lead monitoring and local government, community and public awareness raising and training about contamination risks and mitigation measures in Akhtala where mine tailings waste is causing significant health exposures to toxicants including arsenic, chromium, lead and cadmium. The project is also conducting a blood lead monitoring campaign in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Award amount: $25,000. Total population affected: 5, ANNUAL REPORT 27

28 Integration with International Efforts Toxic Pollution, Chemicals and Wastes and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2013 marked the beginning of the UN-led international effort to define the post-2015 development agenda and a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs), a decision adopted by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June As the issue of chemicals, waste and toxic pollution is critical to many elements of sustainable development, including poverty, health, environment and green economic growth, GAHP members have been working hard to raise awareness among the decision makers who will shape the SDGs. This included meetings between GAHP members, especially the World Bank, Blacksmith Institute, UNDP and GIZ to brainstorm on messaging and strategy, as well as meetings with key donor and country agencies, such as the Ministry of Environment of Germany, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the US Department of State, among others, to encourage their representatives to convey the GAHP message on chemicals, wastes and toxic pollution to decision makers. GAHP also presented at 18 international events, including the SDG Open Working Group sessions, the International Conference on Sustainable Development Practices hosted by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the MERCOSUR Chemicals Agenda and Chemical Waste Management Conference, the Diplomatic Conference on the Minamata Mercury Convention, and the SAICM Africa Regional meeting. In November 2013, GAHP joined a group spearheaded by UNEP to help define a vision for the long-term sound management of chemicals and wastes post In 2014, GAHP members and observers will continue to push for inclusion of this issue in the SDGs, especially at key events such as the 7th Open Working Group Session which is set to discuss chemicals and wastes in the context of sustainable consumption and production. 28

29 > Polluted Water, Ranipet, India GAHP Strategic Objective 3: Sustainable Financing, Coordination and GAHP Administration Progress to date: 25 member organizations as of December 2013, and dozens of observers Administrative structure of GAHP functioning, with 8 Executive Committee members, 4 subcommittees and a Secretariat 10 Technical Advisory Group members GAHP participation and/or presentations at 18 international and regional chemicals events 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 29

30 Measuring Results Institutional Results GAHP is dedicated to ensuring it is a highly efficient and effective organization. To this end, its activities and projects are required to meet the performance deliverables set by its Implementation Strategy results framework, and produce metricsbased results. The breakout boxes throughout the report show progress to date against GAHPs performance targets for Achieving Health Impact GAHP s work is primarily focused on saving lives. Therefore, apart from institutional and activity-based performance metrics, projects are required to show measurable results for human health. This is done using WHO health metrics on the burden of disease, primarily Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) saved and Cost per DALY, as well as changes in contaminant levels in soil, air, water and blood. Each GAHP funded project is required to undergo rigorous baseline data collection regarding contamination levels in the environment, and where possible in affected populations prior to commencing interventions. Number of DALYs averted at each site are calculated. These levels are then retested post intervention and compared to the baseline to calculate changes in contamination and DALYs saved. The cost per DALY can then be calculated by dividing the total project cost by the number of estimated DALYs averted. GAHP estimates that its seven small-scale pilot projects are impacting a total population of 149,000 people, including 29,800 children and adolescents. With an investment of $585,000 of GAHP resources, this comes out to just under $4 per person. DALY numbers will be calculated upon project completion. 30

31 Many African countries are experiencing environmental and health disasters caused by toxic pollution, and they don t know how to deal with such issues. Legal text to forbid the entry of toxic chemicals is only a preventative solution. GAHP offers much needed technical know how and affordable solutions, not only for Africa, but also for many other poor, developing countries. These activities have real tangible benefits for our people. They are not just reports that will be abandoned in the archives. > Marthe Rahalimalala, Chief of Environmental Pollution Control, SAICM National Focal Point, Ministry of Environment, Madagascar > Agbogbloshie E-Waste Recycling Center, Ghana 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 31

32 Financial Highlights GAHP is committed to ensuring transparency about its activities and operations. It reports regularly to its Executive Committee and members, and meeting minutes and reports on its activities are readily available online at GAHP s core support comes from the Development Grant Facility of the World Bank, and the European Commission (via UNIDO and FAO). From July 2012 December 2013, GAHP also received funding from Green Cross Switzerland, and in-kind support from Blacksmith Institute, Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, the Pocantico Center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and UNEP. During this 18-month timeframe, GAHP s budget was $3,930,487. Raising Awareness & Mainstreaming TSIP Data Quality Management $382,249 & Research Communications $156,217 Presentations and Meetings, including travel $432,548 Subtotal $971,015 This strategic objective included the following activities: Improving the quality of data on toxic hotspots; Supporting research on health impacts, benefits of clean up and cost of inaction, including the Journal of Health and Pollution; Communications to improve the case for international funding; and Working with governments and donors to prioritize the issue of toxic pollution chemicals and wastes into country development strategies, including presentations at international and national events. 32

33 Concrete Action TA for TSIP, Training $2,373,818 and Guidance Tools GAHP Pilot projects $408,896 Subtotal $2,782,714 Activities under this strategic objective included: Providing technical assistance and training to identify hotspots, conducting technical analysis, establishing and enforcing regulations; Developing and implementing remediation and intervention project and building stakeholder support and political will and national toxic action planning; Providing guidance, tools and training on technical issues, standards, methodologies, and policies; GAHP pilot projects and facilitation of information and technology transfer, especially South-South. Sustainable Financing, Coordination & GAHP Administration GAHP Administration $108,909 & Management GAHP Coordination & Sustainable Financing $67,849 Subtotal $176,758 This strategic objective included the following activities: Exploring options for raising sustainable sources of funding for GAHP; Developing the GAHP structure and administrative procedures; Engaging with ongoing initiatives and international events related to chemicals, such as SAICM, UNEP Chemicals Financing Initiative, the chemicals treaties/conventions ANNUAL REPORT 33

34 GAHP c/o Blacksmith Institute 475 Riverside Drive New York, NY (212) Info@gahp.net