Implementing Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) for Fulfilling International and National Commitments to Mitigate Pollution | Escazu COP 4 Side Event – Geneva Environment Network
Skip to content
22 Apr 2026
15:00 – 16:30
Venue
Palais des Nations | S-225.4 & Online | Webex
Organization
Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
Minamata Convention on Mercury
Geneva Environment Network
Chemicals and Pollution
SDG3
SDG12
This virtual side event to the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Escazú Agreement (COP 4) convening from 21 to 24 April 2026, in Nassau, Bahamas, explored how PRTRs and pollution data systems can support the implementation of commitments to mitigate pollution by strengthening transparency and access to environmental information. It brought together the Aarhus and Minamata Convention Secretariats and national and regional experts to share practical experiences and identify opportunities for cooperation.
About this Event
Transparency and access to environmental information are central to effective environmental governance and form core pillars of the Escazú Agreement. In this context, Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) play a critical role as practical tools to collect, manage and disseminate data on pollution, enabling governments and the public to better understand environmental pressures and trends.
Multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), including the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the Aarhus Convention along with its Protocol on PRTRs depend on strong data systems and national reporting to assess implementation and measure progress. These agreements rely on accurate, timely information to support compliance, guide policy responses, and strengthen international cooperation.
Enhancing the connections between PRTR systems and MEA reporting frameworks can make environmental data more accessible, reinforce coherence across policy processes, and contribute to more informed decision-making at both national and global levels. Such integration ultimately supports more transparent governance, improved environmental performance, and strengthened accountability.
Leading experts who have joined this side event showcased PRTRs as effective instruments for advancing transparency and public access to environmental information; highlight synergies among the Escazú Agreement, the Aarhus Convention and its Protocol on PRTRs, and the Minamata Convention; present regional and national experiences in establishing and operating PRTR systems; demonstrate how mercury‑related data and national reporting under the Minamata Convention can complement PRTR frameworks; and foster dialogue and knowledge exchange among Parties, experts, and stakeholders.
Speakers
By order of intervention.
Íñigo DE VICENTE-MINGARRO
Administrator, Spanish Register of Emission and Pollutant Sources (PRTR-España), Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Spain | Chair of the International PRTR Coordinating Group (ICG)
Marcos ORELLANA
UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights
Eisaku TODA
Programme Officer, Minamata Convention on Mercury Secretariat
Anna GARCÍA SANS
Communications and Knowledge Management Officer, Minamata Convention on Mercury Secretariat
Kristof DOUÇOT
Environmental Affairs Officer, Secretariat of the Aarhus Convention and its Protocol on PRTRs, UNECE
Naoko MORITANI
Administrator for PRTRs, Environmental Health and Safety Division, OECD
Matías VERGARA HERRERA
Environmental Data Analyst, Department of Environmental Information, Ministry of the Environment, Chile
Andrina CRNJAK THAVENET
Head, Sectorial Impacts, Waters, Chemicals, Industrial and Integrated Pollutions Impacts, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Croatia
Danica LASSALINE
Science Officer, Pollutant Inventories and Reporting Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Highlights
#Live
now!
Join this
#COP4Escazú
side event on implementing Pollutant Release & Transfer Registers (
#PRTRs
) to support the mitigation of pollution through strengthened transparency and access to information.
▶️
pic.twitter.com/eaNkYMT2zE
— GENeva Environment Network (@GENetwork)
April 22, 2026
Video
Documents
Invitation
Presentation
Links
Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (Escazú Agreement COP 4)
2025 Fact Sheet on Minamata Convention and Escazú Agreement Linkages
A/HRC/57/52: Pollution information portals: strengthening access to information on releases of hazardous substances
| Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights