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Arrangements for the first effectiveness evaluation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Conference of the Parties,Welcoming the report on the proposed framework for the effectiveness evaluation and monitoring arrangements under the Minamata Convention,1 and the complementing information developed by the ad hoc technical expert group on the basis of the mandates set out in decisions MC1/9 and MC-2/10,21UNEP/MC/COP.3/14.2UNEP/MC/COP.3/INF/15.Recognizing the efforts to advance the work on the effectiveness evaluation at the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties,
1.Invites parties to submit views on the indicators set out in annex I to the present decision and requests the secretariat to compile those views in advance of the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties;
2.Requests the secretariat to advance the work by securing services for drafting:
(a)Guidance on monitoring to maintain harmonized, comparable information on mercury levels in the environment, taking into consideration the draft structure set out in the note on background information on mercury monitoring;33UNEP/MC/COP.3/INF/15.
(b)Reports set out in the framework in annex II to the present decision with the exception of the emissions and releases report, the monitoring report, and the modelling report.

Annex I to decision MC-3/10

Proposed indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention, by article

A: Article 1 (objective)(The indicator for article 1 is to be read with the relevant monitoring indicator set out in table 4 in document UNEP/MC/COP.3/14)Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
A1. Cross-cutting monitoring indicatorLevels of mercury in the environment and in humans due to anthropogenic emissions and releasesAttributive modellingAmount in the first evaluation (if models are available)
NotesAttribution is to be estimated using models yet to be developed; thus, information for this indicator may or may not be available for the first effectiveness evaluation cycle.Estimates from modelling are to be accompanied by relevant notes on modelling uncertainties.In case of non-availability of information from models, levels of mercury and trends in mercury levels (changes over time) could be used for attribution purposes.
B: Supply clusterArticle (mercury supply sources and trade); article 10 (environmentally sound interim storage of mercury, other than waste mercury); article 11 (mercury wastes)Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
B1. Overall process indicator for articles 3, 10 and 11Proportion of parties that have implemented key provisions under this cluster (encompassing all process indicators below, i.e., B5, B6, B7, B8, B9 and B13)Article 21 reportingAmount in the first evaluation
B2. Additional cross-cutting outcome indicator for articles 3, 10 and 11Estimated global supply of mercury, in tonnes per yearSynthesized information from individual indicators for articles 3, 10 and 11Amount in the first evaluation
Article 3   
B3. Outcome indicator for article 3Total amount of mercury mined from primary mercury mines2017 report on global mercury supply, trade and demandArticle 21 reportingASGM national action plan reportsAmount in the first evaluation
B4. Outcome indicator for article 3Amount of mercury traded, broken down by specific purposeArticle 3 formsAmount in the first evaluation
B5. Process indicator for article 3Number of parties that have endeavoured to identify stocks and sources of supplyArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
B6. Process indicator for article 3For those parties that have determined they have excess Hg, whether they have taken measures called for in article 3 para. 5 (b), and amount of Hg disposed of in accordance with those measure, if availableArticle 21 reportingWorld Chlorine Council reportsPercentage in the first evaluation
B7. Process indicator for article 3Number and proportion of parties trading in mercuryArticle 21 reportingArticle 3 formsNumber and percentage in the first evaluation
B8. Process indicator for article 3Volume of mercury being tradedArticle 21 reportingAmount in the first evaluation
Article 10   
B9. Process indicator for article 10Number and proportion of parties that have taken measures to ensure sound interim storageArticle 21 reportingNumber and percentage in the first evaluation
B10. Outcome indicator for article 10Amount of mercury stored in an environmentally sound way (as identified in the inventory of stocks)Article 21 reportingAmount in the first evaluation
Article 11   
B11. Outcome indicator for article 11Amount of waste containing mercury or mercury compounds subject to final disposalArticle 21 reportingAmount in the first evaluation
B12. Outcome indicator for article 11Number of parties with facilities for final disposal of waste containing mercury or mercury compoundsArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
B13. Process indicator for article 11Number of parties that have measures in place to manage mercury waste in an environmentally sound mannerArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
NotesData from non-parties could also be important in some instances.
C: Demand cluster Article 4 (mercury-added products); article 5 (manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used); article 7 (artisanal and small‑scale gold mining)Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
C1. Cross-cutting process indicator for articles 4, 5 and 7Proportion of parties that have implemented key provisions under this clusterSynthesized information from individual indicators for articles 4, 5 and 7Percentage in the first evaluation
C2. Cross-cutting outcome indicator for articles 4, 5 and 7Global use of mercury in the manufacturing of products or processes, in tonnes per applicationInformation from industry sourcesAmount in the first evaluation
Article 4   
C3. Process indicator for article 4Number of parties having appropriate measures to prevent the manufacture, export or import of mercury-added products listed in part I of annex AArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
C4. Process indicator for article 4Number of exemptions per product category that are still validRegistry of exemptionsNumber in the first evaluation
C5. Process indicator for article 4Number of parties that have taken two or more measures for the mercury-added products listed in part II of annex AArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
C6. Additional outcome indicator for article 4Volume, in tonnes of mercury-added products (a) imported and (b) exported, in units per year, for each product category in part I of annex A.Trade and customs dataAmount in the first evaluation
Article 5   
C7. Process indicator for article 5Number of parties with exemptions for annex B, part I, processes that are still validRegistry of exemptionsNumber in the first evaluation
C8. Process indicator for article 5Number of parties having measures in place to not allow the use of mercury or mercury compounds in manufacturing processes listed in part I of annex BArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
C9. Process indicator for article 5Proportion of parties that have processes subject to article 5, para. 3, that have taken all measures for the respective processes listed in annex B, part IIArticle 21 reportingPercentage in the first evaluation
Article 7   
C10. Outcome indicator for article 7Total amount of mercury used in ASGM globally, in tonnes per yearArticle 21 reportingASGM national action plans and reviews thereofNotificationsAmount in the first evaluation
C11. Process indicator for article 7Proportion of parties declaring more than insignificant ASGM that have submitted a national action planNotificationsPercentage in the first evaluation
C12. Process indicator for article 7Proportion of parties that have submitted a national action plan and have reviewed itArticle 7 reviewsPercentage in the first evaluation
NotesSome data on products may not be easily obtainable.
D: Pressure cluster Article 8 (emissions); article 9 (releases); article 12 (contaminated sites) Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
D1. Overall process indicator for articles 8, 9 and 12Share of parties that have implemented key provisions under this clusterArticle 21 reportingPercentage in the first evaluation
D2. Crosscutting outcome indicator for articles 8, 9 and 12Total amount of mercury emitted and releasedGlobal Mercury Assessment 2018InventoriesMinamata Convention initial assessmentsAmount in the first evaluation
Article 8 (The indicators for article 8 are to be read with the monitoring indicators in table 4.)
D3. Outcome indicator for article 8Total amount of mercury emitted for each point source category in annex DArticle 21 reporting InventoriesNumber in the first evaluation
D4. Process indicator for article 8Number of parties that require BAT/BEP or emission limit values consistent with the application of BATArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
D5. Process indicator for article 8Number of parties that have put in place control measures for existing sources (per each of the measures set out in article 8, para. 5)Article 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
D6. Process indicator for article 8Number of parties that have established and maintained an inventory of emissionsArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
Article 9 (The indicators for article 9 are to be read with the relevant monitoring indicators in table 4.)
D7. Outcome indicator for article 9Total amount of mercury releases in the inventory from relevant sourcesArticle 21 reportingInventoriesAmount in the first evaluation
D8. Process indicator for article 9Number of parties that have identified relevant sourcesArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
D9. Process indicator for article 9Number of parties that have established and maintained an inventory of releases from relevant sourcesArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
Article 12   
D10. Process indicator for article 12Number of parties that have developed strategies for identifying and assessing sites contaminated by mercury or mercury compoundsArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
D11. Process indicator for article 12Number of parties that have developed an inventory of contaminated sitesArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
NotesThere may be some data gaps, as parties are not obliged to share the information collected as part of their inventory.
E: Support cluster Article 13 (financial resources and mechanism); article 14 (capacity‑building, technical assistance and technology transfer)Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
Article 13    
E1. Process indicator for article 13Number of parties that have:Contributed to the financial mechanism referred to in article 13, para. 5Received Global Environment Facility resourcesReceived SIP resourcesMobilized national resources for implementing the Convention within the reporting periodArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
E2. Process indicator for article 13Amount of resources provided by:Global Environment FacilitySIPBilateral support within the reporting periodArticle 21 reportingOther public sourcesAmount in the first evaluation
E3. Additional process indicator for article 13Number of recommendations from the financial review reflected in the Global Environment Facility/SIP policy documentsInformation from policy documentsZero
Article 14   
E4. Process indicator for article 14Number of parties that have:1.Cooperated in providing capacity‑building and technical assistance to another party2.Requested technical assistance3.Received capacity‑building or technical assistance4.Promoted or facilitated technology transferArticle 21 reportingOther public sourcesNumber in the first evaluation
NotesThe cycle of review of the financial mechanism may well not align with the effectiveness evaluation cycle.As the reporting format does not request dollar values for resources provided, other public sources may need to be consulted.
F: Article 15 (Implementation and Compliance Committee)Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
F1. Process indicatorProportion of issues that the Implementation and Compliance Committee was able to resolve, including indications of systemic issues, if anyImplementation and Compliance Committee report, as referred to in article 21Percentage in the first evaluation
NotesThe Conference of the Parties is to consider the terms of reference of the Implementation and Compliance Committee at its third meeting.
G: Article 16 (Health aspects) (The indicator for article 16 is to be read with the relevant monitoring indicators indicated in table 4)Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
G1. Monitoring indicatorMercury levels in selected human populations (as defined by the monitoring arrangements)Existing monitoring data and activitiesNumber in the first evaluation
G2. Process indicatorNumber of parties that have taken measures, such as fish advisories, to provide information to the public on exposure to mercury, in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 16Article 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
G3. Process indicatorNumber of parties that have taken measures to protect human health, in accordance with article 16Article 21 reportingSubmissions to the secretariatNumber in the first evaluation
NotesMercury levels in biota are also to be considered.
H: Information and research cluster Article 17 (information exchange); article 18 (public information, awareness and education); article 19 (research, development and monitoring)Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
Article 17   
H1. Process indicator for article 17Number of parties with designated national focal pointsArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
H2. Process indicator for article 17Number of parties that have facilitated the exchange of information related to mercuryArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
Article 18   
H3. Process indicator for article 18Number of parties that have taken measures to implement article 18Article 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
H4. Process indicator for article 18Average number of measures under paragraph 1 of article 18 that are being implemented by partiesDerived from article 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
H5. Process indicator for article 18Number of parties that have public information on mercury levels in air, humans and biota within their territoryArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
H6. Process indicator for article 18Number of parties undertaking risk communication relating to mercury intake through food and water consumption within their territoryArticle 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
Article 19   
H7. Process indicator for article 19Number of parties that have undertaken research, development and monitoring, in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 19Article 21 reportingNumber in the first evaluation
H8. Process indicator for article 19Number of parties contributing data and knowledge to integrated assessmentsExisting monitoring networks, databases, scientific data and literatureNumber in the first evaluation
H9. Additional process indicator for article 19Number of regions contributing to a regional datasetExisting monitoring networks, databases, scientific data and literatureNumber in the first evaluation
NotesSubmissions to the secretariat that supplement article 21 reporting
I: Article 20 (implementation plans)Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
I1. Process indicatorNumber of parties submitting implementation plansSecretariat report to the Conference of the Parties on implementation plan submissionsZero
NotesParties are not obliged to prepare an implementation plan. Some parties have nevertheless found it useful to prepare such a plan and submit it to the secretariat.
J: Article 21 (reporting)Source of information on the indicatorBaseline for the indicator
J1. Process indicatorProportion of parties reporting on timeArticle 21 reportingPercentage of the first submission on time
J2. Process indicatorProportion of reports received on timeArticle 21 reportingPercentage not available in the first reports
J3. Process indicatorProportion of parties indicating that information is not available for specific questionsArticle 21 reportingPercentage not available in the first reports
NotesParties are to report every two years.
Abbreviations: ASGM, artisanal and small‑scale gold mining; BAT/BEP, best available techniques/best environmental practices; SIP, Specific International Programme to Support Capacity‑building and Technical Assistance.

Annex II to decision MC-3/10

Framework for the effectiveness evaluation of the Minamata Convention

Figure 1 – Information and analysis flow

Figure 2 – Framework institutional arrangements

Abbreviations: COP, Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury; ICC, Implementation and Compliance Committee; MIA, Minamata initial assessment; NAP, national action plan; NIP, national implementation plan; SIP, Specific International Programme to Support Capacity‑building and Technical Assistance.