Potential measures for reduction of releases of heavy metals, POPs, HCFCs, BRFs and industrial greenhouse gases with particular reference to Russia, Ukraine and China

Potential measures for reduction of releases of heavy metals, POPs, HCFCs, BFRs and industrial greenhouse gases with particular reference to Russia, Ukraine and China

Preface

Objective

The objective of the present review is to provide background for the Danish Environmental Protection Agency's considerations regarding its contribution to Nordic and Arctic initiatives such as NEFCO, Nordic Council/Nordic Council of Ministers and Arctic Council in the field of hazardous substances. The study focuses on initiatives for reduction of the releases of the substances in Russia, but includes information on Ukraine and China.

The review performed does not pretend to be fully comprehensive as to the status in the countries included. One particular gap for most substances is a detailed survey of national or local measures already under implementation addressing the substances; in some cases that type of information has however been available and is presented in the report.

Content

The project addresses the following substance groups: Heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium), persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, PCDD/PDCF, HCB, 9 other pesticides), HCFC, industrial greenhouse gases (HFC, PFC, SF₆) and brominated flame retardants (mainly PBB, PBDE and HBCD).

For each of the substances the review includes:

A short abstract;
A short introduction to the environmental problems associated with the substances;
Sources and releases of the substances;
Main reduction measures;
International agreements;
Ongoing activities supported by donor organisations and international finance institution.

Based on the assessment, recommendations on potential activities for release reduction have been prepared. The list of potential additional activities is included in a memorandum for internal use of the Danish EPA.

Steering group

The study has been followed by a Steering Committee consisting of:

Morten Skovgård Olsen, Danish Environmental Protection Agency;
Henri Heron, Danish Environmental Protection Agency;
Mikala Klint, consultant to Danish Environmental Protection Agency;
Carsten Lassen, COWI A/S;
Jakob Maag, COWI A/S.

Study team

The following team has contributed to the solving of this assignment: Carsten Lassen (Project Manager), Jakob Maag, Sven Havelund, Erik Hansen, Jørn Lauridsen and Jesper Skaarup, COWI A/S.

Disclaimer

Please note that publication of this report does not signify that the content of the report necessarily reflect the views of the Danish EPA.