In the framework of the UNEP/MAP- MEDPOL Project, ECODIT Liban was awarded a 1-year contract from UNEP/MAP to assist the Lebanese Ministry of Environment (MOE) in establishing the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) system.  The PRTR is an environmental database of potentially hazardous chemical substances and/or pollutants released to air, water and soil and transferred off-site for treatment or disposal from point sources. It has been developed to reduce pollution/ de-pollute the Mediterranean Sea by the year 2020 (Horizon 2020 Initiative) and assess (and potentially reduce) coastal pollution from point sources in different countries. 

In close collaboration with the MOE - MEDPOL Focal Point and UNEP/MAP Consultant, ECODIT Liban identified a list of large industrial establishments (10 in total) from different sectors to report their emissions and be part of the pilot PRTR project. Accordingly, ECODIT Liban prepared a list of chemicals (To Air, To Water) for every sector based on the e-PRTR and ERTR regulations including criteria pollutants and groups and vetted it with the Ministry of Environment (MOE). ECODIT Liban organized a PRTR National Workshop and invited concerned stakeholders including the Ministries of Industry and Environment as well as selected industrial establishments and discussed the availability of information at the establishments’ level, frequency and method of data reporting, and the verification system by the MOE. ECODIT Liban assisted the IT department at MOE in the installation of the PRTR software.