Overview

Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional POPs (Toolkit)

To facilitate implementation of Article 5, Parties recognized the need for a harmonized framework for elaboration of comparable release inventories of Annex C chemicals, and for detailed state-of the-art guidelines on best available techniques and guidance on best environmental practices.

Development of such a harmonized framework and guidance was initiated by UNEP Chemicals in broad cooperation with experts from developed as well as developing countries, before the Convention entered into force. As mandated by decisions SC-2/5, SC-3/6, SC-4/7 and SC-5/13, the Toolkit has been revised to provide emission factors for sources typical in developing regions, address gaps, and otherwise improve its usefulness and user friendliness.

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Harmonized framework for elaboration of comparable release inventories of Annex C chemicals

Pollutants release inventories are necessary to identify, characterize and quantify sources of these releases; set priorities; elaborate strategies and action plans to reduce these releases; and to evaluate effectiveness of these strategies by establishing release trends through inventory updates.

Release inventories should be:

• Complete (no important source category should be omitted)
• Transparent (use of particular activity data and emission factors should be clearly described, justified and referenced)
• Reliable (best available scientifically sound information should be used)
• Comparable between countries and
• Consistent over time

The Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional POPs (Toolkit) provides a harmonized framework for elaboration of release inventories under the Stockholm Convention, fulfilling the above attributes.