UN Division for Sustainable Development

Case Study Detail Record

Organization type:	Government

Name of Ministry/Agency:

Country:	Mexico

Initiative Title:	Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR)

Internet links:

Scope:

Status:	Ongoing

Timeframe:	Start: End:

Lead Institution:	Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT)

Stakeholders/Partners:	EPA CCA Industry States’ authorities Environment Canada

Relevent issues:

Objectives/Challenges:

The primary goals of the project are: 1) To encourage reductions of pollutant releases at national level and transfers from industrial activities; and 2) To foster the use of PRTRs and PRTR data by citizens, communities, academia, industry, government and other interested parties to promote environmental improvements and address policy-relevant questions.

Lessons Learned:

Challenges encountered include:
- Lack of political willingness to provide public access for environmental information;
- Lack of economic resources

The establishment of legal instruments for enforcement of reports is a key element for the successful implementation of this programme. Previous voluntary programmes showed lack of interest from industrial sector. Policy making process needs to be led and supported by all stakeholders

Summary:

The PRTR is an annual data base that provides information of pollutant releases and transferred to air, land and water. This information will give elements for decision making regard environmental legislation, programs, and compliance to international agreements.

In December 2001, the Mexican Congress approved legislative changes to the article 109 bis of the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection (Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente - LGEEPA). Provide information to the authorities in order to recommend programs and strategies for reducing pollutants release and transfers in the country. The modification at the article 109 Bis of the LGEEPA. Promulgating the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection in regard to Pollutants Release and Transfer Register, on June 3rd, 2004. Release of electronic COA format that includes information on air, water, and hazardous waste pollutants releases and transfer. Release of initial list of 104 substances. First mandatory PRTR report (March-July 2005). There are 6 states with PRTRs established by law and 1 state with a PRTR established by regulation. Action Plan to enhance the comparability of North American PRTRs. The initial steps allow SEMARNAT to promote the implementation of agreements with states and municipalities. The initial report will permit to consider areas of opportunities to improve industrial processes.