Geneva, 16 December 2024 – The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council has approved a groundbreaking global programme dedicated to the elimination of a class of harmful chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) primarily found in electrical transformers around the world. This ambitious initiative combines USD 43.8 million in GEF grant funding with USD 163 million in partner co-financing and represents a major milestone towards meeting the Stockholm Convention’s 2025 and 2028 PCB elimination goals and facilitating the energy transition to reduce the effects of climate change.
The Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, Mr. Rolph Payet, said that “the approval of the Global Elimination Programme for PCBs marks a critical step toward achieving the 2025 and 2028 goals of the Stockholm Convention. This program exemplifies the transformative potential of innovative financing and collaborative efforts in achieving global environmental targets, bringing together the GEF and its agencies, the BRS Secretariat, and key donors to align resources and expertise. By tackling the challenges of PCB elimination through forward-thinking partnerships and sustainable practices, we are advancing environmental protection and laying the groundwork for a healthier future”.
The Global Elimination Programme for PCBs (GEP-PCB, GEF ID 11749), showcases the power of partnership and innovation in tackling complex environmental issues by bringing together a powerful coalition of partners that include the World Bank, the Secretariats of the GEF and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, and key GEF agencies, including the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This gigantic joint effort brings together expertise, resources, and innovative solutions, such as blended finance, to tackle PCB management and environmentally sound disposal, aimed at protecting global health.
"As a longstanding advocate for global environmental health, Norway applauds the approval of the GEF Global Programme on PCB elimination. This initiative is vital for achieving the 2025 and 2028 goals of the Stockholm Convention. By tackling this legacy pollutant through a sectoral approach that integrates PCB elimination with renewable energy and electrification, the programme exemplifies innovative and sustainable solutions to global challenges. Norway is proud to support the GEF's catalytic role in addressing such urgent environmental issues in an integrated way."
Tore O. Sandvik, Minister of Climate and Environment of Norway and GEF Donor.
“The GEF is pleased to support a new initiative focused on the elimination of PCBs, a persistent organic pollutant that poses significant risks to human health and the environment. This programme responds to the request from countries to the GEF, to accelerate action on PCBs ahead of the 2025 and 2028 phase out deadline for these dangerous chemicals and aligns with GEF-8 programming strategies and regional priorities, supporting country-driven strategies to achieve global environmental benefits. This new initiative is the result of a collaborative effort among the countries, BRS Secretariat, the GEF Secretariat and the GEF implementing agencies and demonstrates the strength of the GEF partnership in solving challenging environmental issues.”
Anil Bruce Sookdeo, Coordinator, Chemicals and Waste, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
This initiative will support developing countries in updating and verifying their PCB inventories, scale up safe disposal practices, and replace outdated transformers as they engage in the renewable energy transition. By incorporating PCB elimination into the broader energy projects led by the World Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks— the programme will not only address harmful contamination but also pave the way for reducing dangerous carbon emissions.
“The World Bank is committed to supporting global efforts to eliminate PCBs and transition to cleaner, sustainable energy systems. This programme is a game-changer in tackling hazardous chemicals while aligning with development priorities like electrification and renewable energy adoption. If we want to ensure a livable planet for all, no country should be left behind in meeting the 2025 and 2028 Stockholm Convention goals.”
Genevieve Connors, acting Global Director for Environment at the World Bank
“UNDP welcomes the approval of the GEF Global Elimination Programme for PCBs as a critical step towards addressing one of the world's most persistent pollutants. This programme leverages innovative sectoral approaches by linking PCB management with the transition to renewable energy, contributing to a sustainable and electrified future. With leadership of BRS and collaboration through GEF programs, we are confident that the 2025 and 2028 goals of the Stockholm Convention will become a reality.”
Xiaofang Zhou, Director, UNDP Chemicals & Waste Hub
This international collaboration was made possible through crucial support from the European Union, France, and Germany during the programme’s development phase. Their contributions underscore the collective commitment of Parties to the Stockholm Convention to fulfill their obligations while leveraging the GEF’s position as a global financial leader in environmental protection.
The Global Programme is expected to deliver significant global environmental benefits, including the elimination of approximately 8,750 tons of PCBs in Cameroon, Eswatini, Gabon, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Uganda (participating countries in phase 1). It will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent through the replacement of old, inefficient transformers. Moreover, the programme will improve the operational and energy efficiency of electricity grids in the participating countries, thus contributing to broader climate change mitigation efforts.
“Gabon is happy to be part of the global efforts of PCB elimination and will work with UNEP to eliminate PCBs from the country and shifting towards a more energy efficient, pollution free planet."
Madame Arcadie Svetlana MINGUENGUI NDOMBA, épouse N’ZOMA, Minister of Environment, Climate, and Human-Wildlife Conflict
“I have the honor to inform you that the Republic of Cameroon is committed to eliminating PCBs in line with the Stockholm Convention deadlines and is thankful for the financial support from the GEF and technical assistance from UNEP and BRS Secretariat in moving forward towards this goal.”
Aoudou Joswa, Chief of Environmental Inspection Brigade, Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, Cameroon
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat) brings together the three leading multilateral environmental agreements that share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. http://www.brsmeas.org/
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, is a global treaty requiring its Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment, to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment. http://chm.pops.int/
The group of chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is one of the original twelve POPs covered by the Stockholm Convention. They possess properties including longevity, heat absorbance and form an oily liquid at room temperature that is useful for electrical utilities and in other industrial applications.
Due to their physico-chemical properties, PCBs were manufactured worldwide for use in a wide range of applications, most importantly as insulating fluids in transformers. PCBs were also used in other types of closed and semi-closed applications, such as capacitors, as well as in so-called ‘open applications, such as paints, sealants and carbon paper.
PCBs can cause serious health effects in humans and animals, including reproductive impairment and immune system dysfunctions. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PCBs as Group 1 “carcinogenic to humans”. PCBs have been detected in human milk, and in some cases, observed levels for indicator PCBs were several orders of magnitude higher than the WHO safety level. Once in the environment, PCBs enter the food chain.
https://www.pops.int/Implementation/IndustrialPOPs/PCB/Overview/tabid/273/Default.aspx
For media inquiries, contact: Maria Cristina Cardenas, Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor of the BRS Secretariat. Email: maria-cristina.cardenas@un.org.