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Welcome to the UNEP-UNITAR Mercury:Learn Training Modules


Welcome to Mercury:Learn, the Interactive training modules created by UNEP and UNITAR for developing inventories on mercury emissions and releases! 

In order to support the ratification and early implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and provide information to interested stakeholders, UNEP and UNITAR are offering these training modules. The modules have been developed based on the UNEP toolkit for identification and quantification of Mercury releases. 

The objective of this training is to assist you in developing a comprehensive mercury release and emissions inventory using the standardized methodology and database provided by the UNEP Toolkit. The methodology assists you in identifying the major sources of mercury emissions and releases, including private and industrial activities on your territory. The Toolkit provides you with the option of developing a refined and customized mercury inventory that better reflects your national or local conditions if detailed national information is available. Mercury inventories are essential in evaluating the associated risks from mercury releases and to take appropriate action. 

At the end of this training you will have a better understanding of your national sources of mercury emissions and releases and estimates of the emissions and releases to all media. The training modules are targeted to individuals that are interested in developing national inventories of mercury emissions and releases.

Features of Mercury:Learn 

  • Online training modules on how to develop inventories 
  • Online forums and Mercury Clinics for elaborated inventory training and discussions. 
  • Document posting 
  • Repository of documents and other resources 
  • Links to other related websites

We look forward to your active participation and we hope to have your feedback during this training. Your constructive comments will enable us to improve the training modules to the needs of national experts and thus make them as useful and focused as possible. 

We hope you enjoy the “Mercury:Learn” online training modules! 


Inventory Level 1

Self enrolment
Follow these Level 1 modules to learn about: 

  •  The characteristics of mercury and mercury releases 
  • The main elements of mercury releases inventories
  • Main anthropogenic sources of mercury releases to the environment 
  • The use of calculation spreadsheets and emission factors to quantify mercury releases 
These modules are available for every person or institution that would like to have a general idea of mercury releases in a certain territory. These modules can be completed entirely or partially (for users that are interested to know about mercury releases from just some specific sources). The modules are accessed online or you can download transcripts of all modules in case you have an un-steady Internet connection.

Nivel 1 del inventario

Self enrolment
Siga los módulos del nivel 1 para aprender sobre: 

  •  Las características del mercurio y de sus liberaciones. 
  • Los principales elementos de los inventarios de liberaciones de mercurio
  • Las principales fuentes antropogénicas de liberaciones de mercurio al medio ambiente
  • El uso de hojas de cálculo y factores de emisión para cuantificar las liberaciones de mercurio 
Estos módulos son accesibles para cualquier persona o institución que quiera tener una idea general de las liberaciones de mercurio en un determinado territorio. Los módulos pueden completarse total o parcialmente (para aquellos usuarios que solo estén interesados en las liberaciones de mercurio de algunas fuentes específicas). 

Puede accederse a los módulos en línea o, si no se dispone de una buena conexión a internet, descargando las transcripciones de cada módulo.

Inventory Level 2

Self enrolment


Follow these Level 2 modules if:

  • You wish to refine a Level 1 mercury releases inventory 
  • You wish to do a more detailed mercury release inventory or using more local data Main anthropogenic sources of mercury releases to the environment 
  • You wish to have more details about each anthropogenic source of releases 
  • You are part of an institution in charge of coordinating regional or global actions towards reduction of mercury releases 

These modules are available for any person or institution that needs to prepare a detailed inventory of mercury releases to decide on future actions for the reduction of those releases. 


 These modules are accessed online or you can download transcripts of all modules in case you have an un-steady Internet connection.

Nivel 2 del inventario

Self enrolment

    • Estos módulos son accesibles para cualquier persona o institución que quiera tener una idea general de las liberaciones de mercurio en un determinado territorio. Los módulos pueden completarse total o parcialmente (para aquellos usuarios que solo estén interesados en las liberaciones de mercurio de algunas fuentes específicas). 

    Puede accederse a los módulos en línea o, si no dispone de una buena conexión a internet, descargando las transcripciones de cada módulo.


    MercuryLearn: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    What is MercuryLearn?

    MercuryLearn is an online training platform to assist you in developing a comprehensive mercury release and emissions inventory using the standardized methodology and database provided by the UNEP Toolkit.

    What are the costs?

    The MercuryLearn training modules are free for the public. However, specialized forums and experts are not included.What is the target audience?

    The target audience is people who works and is interested or related with mercury issues.


    Do I need web programming knowledge in order to use the MercuryLearn platform?

    No. MercuryLearn is streamlined so that anyone can use it, even if they have no web programming experience.

    What do I need in order to use the MercuryLearn platform?

    All you need is an internet connection and an internet browser. There's no software to install.

    I can't login! Help!

    You will need to enter the password that you have set up for your account.  
    If you're still unable to log in, please contact the     MercuryLearn team.

    Inventory Level 1 copy 1

    Self enrolment
    Follow these Level 1 modules to learn about: 

    •  The characteristics of mercury and mercury releases 
    • The main elements of mercury releases inventories
    • Main anthropogenic sources of mercury releases to the environment 
    • The use of calculation spreadsheets and emission factors to quantify mercury releases 
    These modules are available for every person or institution that would like to have a general idea of mercury releases in a certain territory. These modules can be completed entirely or partially (for users that are interested to know about mercury releases from just some specific sources). The modules are accessed online or you can download transcripts of all modules in case you have an un-steady Internet connection.

    Toolkit Introduction

    The "Toolkit for identification and quantification of mercury releases", the "Toolkit", is intended to assist countries in developing national mercury releases inventories. The Toolkit guides the inventory developer through the different stages of identifying sources and quantifying the consumption and releases of mercury from these sources. It provides a methodology, and a database enabling the development of consistent inventories, it includes examples and extensive information on mercury release sources. The “Toolkit“ exists in two versions:

    1. "Inventory Level 1" provides a simplified version of the Toolkit, as well as calculation spreadsheets and a reporting template, to make the development of an broad mercury inventory considerably easier.

    2. "Inventory Level 2" is the comprehensive version, including a detailed description of all mercury sources, useful for anyone wishing to learn more about a specific mercury release source, including environmental authorities and researchers.