At its 69th Council Meeting, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved a new work program that includes three major mercury-related projects across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The approved projects by the 69th GEF Council, held in Washington, D.C., include the Global Elimination of Mercury in Non-Ferrous Metals Initiative (GEMINI), which will assist Chile, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Zambia in reducing mercury emissions and introducing safe alternatives in the production and supply of non-ferrous metals (such as copper, industrial gold, zinc and lead), commonly used in the automotive, construction, electronic and medical industries.
Also approved was the initiative Elimination of mercury-added skin lightening products in Africa, which will support 13 African countries in removing these products from both physical and online sale channels across the continent. A third project, Greening of the Cement and Construction Industry in the Philippines, will help reduce mercury and greenhouse gas emissions in the country’s sectors by promoting sustainable policies, innovative technologies and circular economy approaches.
Together, these projects account for $80 million in GEF financing and are expected to mobilize over $503 million in co-financing from outside sources, such as national budgets or private sector support. Implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), these initiatives support Parties in meeting their obligations under the Minamata Convention, including implentation of articles 4 (mercury-added products), 5 (manufacturing processes in which mercury is used) and 8 (mercury emissions).
The GEF Trust Fund is one of the financial mechanisms of the Minamata Convention. Visit our GEF projects database and dashboard to learn more about previous projects funded from the GEF Minamata Convention allocation since GEF-5.
This press release was first published on the Minamata Convention website.
