Recognising the urgent need to eliminate mercury pollution and exposure in urban environments, and acknowledging the shared responsibility of cities to protect public health, ecosystems, and future generations, a Network of Mercury-Free City communities dedicated to promoting cities free from mercury-containing products is established.
The basic principles, objectives of the Network of Mercury-Free City communities:
- Promote the phase-out of mercury use in urban activities, healthcare, industry, and commerce.
- Support policies and practices that prevent mercury emissions and pollution.
- Sharing knowledge, best practices, and technical expertise to accelerate the transition to a mercury-free economy.
- Collaborating on awareness campaigns and educational initiatives.
- Supporting international action consistent with the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Principles of Network:
- Environmental Justice: Ensuring the protection of all communities, especially vulnerable groups, from exposure to mercury.
- Transparency and Accountability: Promoting open reporting and responsible management.
- Scientific Integrity: Basing decisions on the best available scientific data.
- Global Solidarity: Fostering cross-border cooperation to address shared environmental problems.
Participation in the Network will be open to
- Municipalities and city councils,
- Regional and local authorities,
- Social coalitions and civil society organizations committed to mercury-free goals,
- Universities and schools,
- Health institutions.
Initial activities of the Network include:
- Organising an inaugural summit to formalize the Network's structure.
- Creating a shared database of mercury-free policies and technologies.
- Organising global campaigns to designate "Mercury-Free Cities."
- Collaborating with international organisations to coordinate activities.
The International Network of Mercury-Free City Communities was established under the project Life Mercury Free. The members of the founders:
- Gesamb – Gestão Ambiental e de Resíduos, EIM (Portugal)
- Universidade de Évora (Portugal)
- John Paul II University in Biala Podlaska (Poland)
- Publiczne Liceum Ogólnokształcące Politechniki Łódzkiej (Poland)
- Larissa Chamber of Commerce (Greece)
- L’Università di Camerino (Italy)
- Il Comune di Pioraco (Italy)
- Lviv Polytechnic National University (Ukraine)
- Il Comune di Sefro (Italy)
- Politechnika Łódzka (Poland)
