05.06.2020 Russia and Norway discussed topical aspects of environmental protection
A Russian-Norwegian seminar on the implementation of international conventions regulating the handling of chemicals and hazardous wastes was held in the format of a videoconference within the framework of the bilateral project “Assessment of the impact of chemicals on the environment and human health”.
On the Russian side, the delegation was headed by Maya Kolosentseva, Chairman of the Russian part of the Russian-Norwegian Working Group on Environmental Pollution Prevention, Head of the Department of State Policy and Regulation in the Field of Hydrometeorology, Arctic, Antarctic, and Oceanic Studies, Maya Kolosentseva, on the Norwegian side - Chairman of the Norwegian part of the Russian-Norwegian Working Group, Head of the Department of International Cooperation of the Norwegian Environment Agency Andre Kammerud.
During the event, the current aspects of activities in Russia and Norway on the implementation of obligations arising from the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants were considered. At the same time, special attention was paid to steps and measures taken under national plans for the implementation of the Convention.
As a reminder, Russia signed the Stockholm Convention in 2002 under the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of May 18, 2002, No. 320 "On the Signing of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants", and ratified the Convention in 2011 under the Federal Law of June 27, 2011, No. 164-FZ "On Ratification of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants".
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, under the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 30, 2014, No. 720 "On measures to ensure the fulfillment by the Russian Federation of the obligations stipulated by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants of May 22, 2001," by the executive authorities of Russia's obligations.
Within the framework of the meeting, information was provided on the activities of the Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry. N.N.Vorozhtsov of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which since 2017 has been the National Coordination Center of the Russian Federation for the Stockholm Convention, and since 2019 - the Regional Center for the Stockholm Convention.
Evgeny Tretyakov, a representative of the Institute, informed the participants about the implemented projects, as well as those planned within the framework of the Arctic Council Working Group on the Elimination of Pollution in the Arctic (ACAP), projects related to persistent organic pollutants, as well as the plans for 2020–2023.
The Norwegian side, in turn, informed about the pollution of soils with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and about the measures taken in the country to reduce the spread of these soil.
Russian and Norwegian experts exchanged data on legislative approaches and ongoing work in the field of handling hazardous waste (including those containing persistent organic pollutants), the methods used to neutralize and utilize such waste.
The representatives of the Norwegian Environment Agency informed that waste incineration is an important part of the waste management system in Norway. About 30% of all waste is incinerated to generate energy. About 55% of municipal waste is incinerated and only an insignificant part of it is disposed of.
There are currently 7 large incinerators in Norway. In connection with the introduction of strict legislative measures on emissions into the air, some of the smaller factories stopped working. Waste incinerators must have permits for incineration at temperatures of 1100 degrees C.
Ekaterina Demicheva, Development Director of “Rusatom Greenway”, which is an industry integrator of waste management in the structure of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, presented information on the federal project "Infrastructure for Waste Management of I-II Hazard Classes" implemented within the framework of the national project "Ecology". In particular, E. Demicheva spoke about the creation of industrial and technical complexes for the treatment of waste of I-II hazard classes, the implementation of investment projects in the field of ecology, the elimination of accumulated environmental harm. By the end of 2020, “Rusatom Greenway” plans to launch a plant for the disposal of waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls, Melioform-PCB-500, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The planned volume of recycling of 750 tons of waste in 2021 will increase to 1200 tons in 2023.
Sergei Korotkov, Director of the UNIDO Center for International Industrial Cooperation in the Russian Federation, informed about the work carried out within the framework of the project “Environmentally sound regulation and final destruction of equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and materials at the enterprises of Russian Railways and other PCB owners ”.
The company "Rusatom Greenway" was transferred to the use of a plant for the neutralization of waste containing PCBs. Recently, thanks to the efforts of UNIDO in Russia, awareness of the dangers of PCBs has increased, and seminars for 600 people have been held jointly with the Russian Energy Agency.
UNIDO is currently in Russia elaborate on Accreditation 3-4 laboratories for analysis of PCBs, an expanded inventory is planned, as well as the creation of a database. A methodology for labeling equipment containing PCBs has been developed; it is planned to create a model for burning PCB-contaminated oils.
Representatives of the Norwegian Environmental Protection Agency were also briefed on the work of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which takes place under the action plan, developed in 2010. Due to the introduction of a ban on the use of mercury, discharges, and emissions of this substance have ceased in Norway. However, there are mercury-contaminated areas and ponds.
The Russian side provided information on the work done to reduce mercury contamination, including in the framework of the Minamata Convention. The representative of "SRI Atmosphere" Alexander Romanov said on appraisal mercury various components of pollution studies, as well as the implementation of the Russian-Norwegian project (together with Canada) project "Arkrisk" implemented ACAP, and other practical aspects of the current work on combating environmental pollution with mercury.
Representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation reported on the work within the framework of Russian-Sudanese cooperation on the problem of using mercury. Seminars on this topic are held annually on the sidelines of the Intergovernmental Russian-Sudan Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.
The activities in this area of several Russian companies were noted: CJSC ITOMAK, LUMEX, GPB Global Resources, etc.
As a result of the event, the parties emphasized their mutual interest in continuing the dialogue aimed at exchanging information on the activities of Russia and Norway in the field of handling chemicals and hazardous waste.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation press service.