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
Commission for
Environmental
Cooperation
Chemicals Program
Trade and
Environment
Biodiversity
Hazardous Waste
and Enforcement
SEM Unit
PRTR, Air Quality
Joint Public
Advisory
Committee
Sound Management
of
Chemicals
NARAPs
Monitoring and
Assessing Pollutants
Across NA
SCC
NA Atlas, SoE
Communications
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Implementation
New Directions
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?
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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?
Post-Kyoto regime
Role for market-based strategies?
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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.
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Muchas Gracias
Merci
Thank you
Felipe Adrián Vázquez-Gálvez
[email protected]
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Three countries.
One environment.
© Commission for Environmental Cooperation / 2009