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PRTR Resources and Electronic tools

PRTR Resources

In order to assist countries with PRTR implementation needs, resources, such as PRTR database software, are being provided for free download (as they become available) on the PRTR.net global portal at http://prtr.net/en/implementation/. National focal points and stakeholders for the Aarhus Convention and the PRTR Protocol, as well as other focal points involved in PRTR activities, are encouraged to examine the resources listed and to utilize them as needed during PRTR implementation.

Great appreciation is expressed to the governments and organisations listed for providing access to these resources.

Governments and organisations that wish to provide free access to PRTR implementation resources are most kindly requested to please email [email protected] with relevant details. Upon approval these components will then be uploaded to http://prtr.net/en/implementation/. The resources that are currently available are as follows:

E-PRTR software

E-PRTR software available for free download
The European Commission and European Environment Agency have made available for free download the E-PRTR website software. The website URL is


http://prtr.ec.europa.eu
The software is open-source and can be understood and adapted easily by a knowledgeable programmer and can be re-used by other countries (or regions) that are developing a national PRTR database. The source code can be downloaded from the EEA repository at: https://svn.eionet.europa.eu/repositories/EPRTR/trunk/
The necessary deployment information is available at:  https://svn.eionet.europa.eu/repositories/EPRTR/trunk/documents/Deployment/E-PRTR_Deploy_Manual.doc
Note: The plug-in of the ESRI map viewing tools (commercial product) is not open-source and a license would have to be purchased if the map-viewing tool is to be implemented.
German PRTR Database

German PRTR database software available for free download

The Umweltbundesamt - Federal Environment Agency has made available for free download the German PRTR database software at ftps://sia.uba.de/pub/bube

The software is open-source and can be understood and adapted by a knowledgeable programmer and can be re-used by other countries (or regions) that are developing a national PRTR database. Please note, that file catcher software must be utilized for the download, for example, filezilla, which is available for many systems including Windows, Linux, *BSD, Mac OS X (download from http://filezilla-project.org). A portable version for windows, which runs for example from an USB-Stick without prior installation can be downloaded from http://portableapps.com/de/apps/internet/filezilla_portable). Information available on this site is in the German language only at the moment.

Spanish PRTR Database

Elements of the Spanish PRTR database that are available for free utilization

PRTR España has made publicly available, the information exchange schemes used in reporting emissions and waste transfers, along with their descriptions, so they can be used by other countries or regions that are implementing their own PRTR database. This exchange is based on XML files, which is a standard technology for exchanging structured data between different platforms. The information is currently available in Spanish.

Facility information is available at:

http://www.prtr-es.es/Informes/Schemas/Documentacion/Complejos/Complejo.html

Release data information is available at:

http://www.prtr-es.es/Informes/Schemas/Documentacion/Emisiones/emisiones.html

Waste transfers information is available at:

http://www.prtr-es.es/Informes/Schemas/Documentacion/Residuos/Residuos.html

Additional facility information required is listed at:

http://www.prtr-es.es/Informes/Schemas/Documentacion/InformacionHistorica/InformacionHistorica.html

Consumption data is listed at:

http://www.prtr-es.es/Informes/Schemas/Documentacion/Consumos/Consumos.html

Additional information about environmental permits related to PRTR is available at:

http://www.prtr-es.es/Informes/Schemas/Documentacion/aai/aai.html

Additional information on the structure of the system and how it works is available in English and Spanish at: http://www.prtr-es.es 

The user manuals are available at:

http://www.prtr-es.es/novedades/Como-registrarse-notificar-PRTREspana-1122122012.html

and in PDF format at:

http://www.en.prtr-es.es/Data/images/Manual_usuario_1_2.pdf 

http://www.en.prtr-es.es/Data/images/Manual_usuario_2.pdf 

Should you need further information do not hesitate to contact PRTR España at [email protected]

UNITAR resources

United Nations Institute for Training and Research

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is currently developing an open-source PRTR database that will be freely available for utilization by countries (or regions) that are developing a national PRTR database. UNITAR aims to make the database available for free download in 2013. 

 

Electronic tools for PRTR

The UNECE Aarhus Convention secretariat, UNITAR and OECD encourages national focal points (NFPs) and stakeholders for the Aarhus Convention and the PRTR Protocol, as well as other focal points involved in PRTR activities, to update regularly the information available at the Aarhus Clearinghouse, the PRTR.net capacity building database and to utilize the following electronic tools.

PRTR.net

PRTR.net is a global PRTR portal which provides information and activities from countries and organizations around the world. PRTR.net is a joint venture of OECD, Grid Arendal and UNECE and is a remarkable example of cooperation between these organizations. PRTR.net includes the following features:

(i) Information about PRTRs developed by countries and regions;

(ii) Details on the benefits of implementing a PRTR;

(iii) Information from other agencies and organizations about PRTRs;

(iv) A series of Frequently Asked Questions about PRTRs;

(v) Upcoming PRTR-related meetings and upcoming PRTR-related events;

(vi) A mechanism for PRTR national focal points and stakeholders to add data to the PRTR capacity-building activities database;

(vii) Updates made in five languages: English, French, German, Russian, Spanish;

(viii) Integration between PRTR.net and PRTR:Learn;

(ix) A mechanism to provide feedback on the website to the UNECE secretariat;

PRTR Capacity building database

The capacity-building activities database is useful as anyone can search it to learn about PRTR projects and initiatives around the world and it enables the progress and outcomes of the projects listed to be monitored. Advice and assistance can then be directed to specific countries where needed.

The database lists detailed information on these activities including project title, proposed outcomes, duration, and the stakeholders involved. National focal points and stakeholders are encouraged to contribute to the capacity-building activities database, as this will greatly facilitate information exchange and planning of future activities. Via the PRTR.net global portal, national focal points and stakeholders can log in to add information to the database of capacity building activities. User instructions for national focal points and stakeholders to add information to the capacity-building activities database are also available from the Aarhus Convention secretariat.

PRTR Learn

PRTR:Learn is an interactive platform that has the main objective of sharing insights, information, knowledge and resources on PRTRs. PRTR Learn puts innovative tools at your service for online PRTR capacity-building. Its resources include: 
• Document Repository;
• Forum;
• A tool for online webinars and video conferences;
• Initiatives Map (this will be linked to the PRTR capacity building activities database);
• Chat.

OECD Resources

OECD Centre for PRTR Data
The Centre for PRTR Data presents national PRTR Data from OECD countries at one Internet location. The Centre can be accessed at: www.oecd.org/env/prtr/data/

OECD Resource Centre for Release Estimation Techniques 
This online centre provides information on available release estimation techniques, overarching documents and general information among OECD countries for estimating releases from various sources. The Centre can be accessed at: www.oecd.org/env/prtr/rc

The OECD Publications on PRTRs can be accessed by using this link:
http://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/risk-management/publicationsintheseriesonpollutantreleaseandtransferregisters.htm

 

 

Aarhus Clearinghouse

The Aarhus Clearinghouse mechanism is dedicated to promoting the exchange of information and good practice in implementation of the Aarhus Convention and Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. Contributions to the Aarhus Clearinghouse are welcomed and encouraged to showcase news and information on laws and practices relevant to the public’s rights, including to access environmental information. User instructions for national focal points and stakeholders to add information to the Aarhus Clearinghouse are available from the Aarhus Convention secretariat;

SEIS Principles
Utilization of the Shared Environmental Information System principles
The use of Shared Environmental Information System principles in the process of PRTR development has the potential to create compatible PRTR systems and data across multiple countries. 
 
Further information is available here.

PRTR Cost Model

The use of PRTR Cost Model should be encouraged, as it is a useful tool that enables the cost involved in the implementation of the Protocol on PRTRs to be assessed. 

The cost model enables the development of detailed estimates of the magnitude of costs of monitoring emissions (releases) of substances, contained in the annex to the Protocol, to different environmental media (air, water and land) in order to assist Parties to the Protocol with its implementation


 
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