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Impact of Environmental Cooperation under CAFTA-DR 2006-2009 USAID/El Salvador (E-CAM)

Learn how USAID's E-CAM program in Central America and the Dominican Republic focuses on compliance and capacity building to achieve sustainable development in environmental management. Key projects include wastewater management, air quality monitoring, mercury reduction in hospitals, and promoting cleaner production practices. The program aims to improve environmental laws, enhance private sector performance, and strengthen institutional frameworks for environmental protection. Discover success stories and outcomes of USAID's impactful initiatives.

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Impact of Environmental Cooperation under CAFTA-DR 2006-2009 USAID/El Salvador (E-CAM)

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  1. Impact of Environmental Cooperation under CAFTA-DR 2006-2009 USAID/El Salvador (E-CAM) Partnering for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, January 20-22, 2010, San José, Costa Rica

  2. OBJECTIVES OF USAID ASSISTANCE • Support countries in complying with environmental commitments under CAFTA-DR • Build local capacity for improved environmental management

  3. THEMATIC AREAS CAFTA-DR ASSISTANCE • Institutional strengthening for effective implementation and compliance of environmental laws • Biological diversity and conservation • Market-based conservation • Improved environmental performance in the private sector

  4. AREAS OF ASSISTANCE OF USAID E-CAM I. Institutional strengthening for effective implementation and compliance of environmental laws • Improve environmental laws, regulations, policy and procedures. • Support capacity building so governments can enforce environmental laws. • Encourage public participation and transparency in decision-making on environmental matters.

  5. AREAS OF ASSISTANCE OF USAID E-CAM • Improve environmental performance of the private sector • Highlight the profitability of improved environmental performance. • Encourage adoption of world-class environmental standards (eg. ISO 1400) by firms. • Encourage government and firms to enter into voluntary agreements on cleaner production.

  6. Program Success USAID ENVIRONMENT AND LABOR EXCELLENCE FOR CAFTA-DR PROGRAM

  7. SUCCESS STORIES FROM CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC • Wastewater Management • Air Quality • Sound Management of Chemicals • Cleaner Production • SERVIR

  8. 1. WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT • Problem: CAFTA-DR countries have weak wastewater pollution control standards and lack of legally defendable analytical results. • Problem: Low percentage of wastewater treated and high prevalence of waterborne diseases.

  9. KEY ACTIONS • Help countries established and strengthened their wastewater pollution control standards. • A total of 12 “key elements” have been identified to be implemented.

  10. KEY ACTIONS • Central American wastewater laboratories have improved their Quality Assurance and Quality Control Systems. Result = reliable analytical results • Developed operator training materials for maintaining wastewater treatment plants.

  11. OUTCOMES Compliance with environmental laws = improvement in water quality SOURCE: World Bank, 2007.

  12. 2. AIR QUALITY Problem: Urban air quality monitoring in CAFTA-DR countries limited or nonexistent

  13. KEY ACTIONS • Training on air quality monitoring using PM-10 samplers. • Selection of one country as technical resource for air monitoring data management, QA/QC and equipment maintenance. • Air quality monitoring equipment donation.

  14. OUTCOME By end of 2010, 3.8 million people will benefit from operating PM10 stations in CAFTA-DR countries

  15. 3. MERCURY REDUCTION IN HOSPITALS • Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can damage the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. • It is used in health care in products including thermometers, dental amalgam, lab chemicals, and preservatives. • Usage, breakages and disposal of mercury makes the health care sector a significant source of mercury pollution.

  16. One gram of mercury (amount in a conventional thermometer) can pollute a 80 hectare lake.

  17. KEY ACTIONS • Complete inventory of products containing mercury. • Development of protocols to address spills and disposal. • Training and education on mercury for hospital personnel.

  18. KEY ACTIONS • New guidelines for purchase of mercury free equipment. • Construction of temporary disposal site for products containing mercury.

  19. OUTCOMES • Completed substitution of mercury containing products. • 3,858 grams of mercury removed from hospital. • San Ramón Hospital and Caja Costarricence del Seguro Social agreement to eliminate products containing mercury.

  20. 4. CLEANER PRODUCTION Problem: Lack of environmental compliance by some private sector firms in the region

  21. KEY ACTIONS • Direct engagement of individual firms • Example: San Julian Agro-Industries in El Salvador

  22. KEY ACTIONS • Loan Guarantee for clean production (US $300,000 loan package) for new equipment. • Technical assistance from the Salvadoran Clean Production Center.

  23. OUTCOMES • New equipment = less pollution by San Julian. • Savings of $250,000 in electricity and raw material usage. • Certified by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (now exporting cheese to the U.S.)

  24. 5. Environmental Monitoring: SERVIR

  25. KEY ACTIONS • Provide new products to help governments respond to extreme events and disasters. • Real-time event monitoring system to track disasters and environmental treats. www.servir.net

  26. OUTCOMES • Better information in the hands of government officials. • Improved disaster preparedness and response. • Improved access to climate change information.

  27. Muchas GraciasUSAID/El Salvador (E-CAM) Lawrence Rubey lrubey@usaid.gov Michelle Jennings mjennings@usaid.gov Orlando Altamirano oaltamirano@usaid.gov Ruben Aleman raleman@usaid.gov Any Pleites (admin) apleites@usaid.gov

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