sound management of chemicals executive director’s overview commission for environmental...
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Sound Management of Chemicals Executive Director’s
Overview
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Sound Management of Chemicals Working Group and StakeholdersSan Antonio, TexasMarch 31, 2009
Three National
Environment Ministers
CEC Chemicals Program
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Commission for
Environmental Cooperation
Joint Public Advisory
Committee
Trade and Environment
Biodiversity
Hazardous Waste and Enforcement
SEM Unit
PRTR, Air Quality
NA Atlas, SoE
Communications
Chemicals Program
Sound Management
of Chemicals
NARAPs
Monitoring and Assessing Pollutants Across NA
SCC
Implementation New Directions
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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?
North American Environmental Strategy Development Today
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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 2020Opportunities for regional cooperation, policy coordination?
Post-Kyoto regimeRole for market-based strategies?
Questions Shaping Today’s Environmental Agenda
Priority One: Economy/Energy/Climate
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Free trade and the environmentWhat are implications of re-opening NAFTA/NAAEC?
Global conventions and agreementsDoes NA environmental management have a role?
CEC’s role in capacity buildingCan capacity building be sustained?
Capacity building beyond technical to strategic
North American (chemical) securityWhat role does the trilateral initiative have?
SPP’s Statement of Intent on Chemicals Cooperation• CEC SMOC as a delivery tool
Questions Shaping Today’s Environmental Agenda
Secondary Priority? Environment/Sustainability
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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
Possible Directions for the CEC
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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 a
s an asset to constructing a NA view
including the SEM process.
CEC Initiatives
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
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 initiativesO
ECD, SAICM, UNEP, GRULAC
GLBTS, La Paz, New England/Eastern Canada agenda
Outstanding successes of NARAPs
The Legacy of the CEC’s SMOC Program
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Foundation development with a finite life spane
ncourage 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 sectorsuse economic stimulus as catalyst
Academic and officials exchange programs
CEC SMOC ProgramThe Next Generation
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Muchas GraciasMerci
Thank you
Felipe Adrián Vázquez-Gá[email protected]
Three countries. One environment.
© Commission for Environmental Cooperation / 2009