Fostering the integration of chemicals pollution into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans - Minamata COP6 event

The world is facing a triple planetary crisis, which includes biodiversity loss. Chemicals pollution and inadequate waste management are among the causes of biodiversity loss. Mercury is no exception, since its uses, emissions and releases into the environment are having severe impacts on ecosystems and wildlife, such as the pollution of terrestrial and aquatic systems, leading to the contamination of species such as amphibians fish and seafood, particularly tuna, swordfish and freshwater bass species that may accumulate high levels of methylmercury. 

ASGM amalgamation is a key generator of mercury emissions and releases, especially these operations often take place around or even within the vicinity of biodiversity hotspots and/or protected areas, eventually affecting ecosystems services.  

UNEP, its partners and Multilateral Environmental Agreements – including  Minamata Convention on mercury and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are working in synergy to support a sound implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity.  

The proposed session envisions to: i) present recent guidance for a durable step by step integration of pollution into NBSAPs; ii) share countries’ perspective and notable highlights from national piloting of the guidance; and iii) collect the audience feedback. 

Speakers:

• Allison Aldous, Nature Conservancy, Author, Technical support for integrating mercury pollution from ASGM in NBSAPs 
• Barirega Akankwasah, PhD, Executive Director - Uganda National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)  
• David Evers, Executive Director - Biodiversity Research Institute 
• Imelda Dossou Etui, Technical Project Coordinator - UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch