Introduction

The RAC/CP’ s objective becomes accomplished by giving technical support to the Contracting Parties; which are the 21 countries of the Mediterranean and the European Community; and to the institutional organisations. Through those last ones, the RAC/CP gives support to the businesses wishing to promote less polluting and more eco-efficient techniques and practices in their activities.

Previously named Centre for the Enterprises and Environment (CEMA) and by virtue of the collaboration agreement between the governments of Spain and Catalonia, the Centre was recognised as the adequate tool for the promotion and dissemination of the pollution control throughout the Spanish territory.

Likewise, in 1995 the Spanish government presented the candidacy of the Centre as RAC/CP at the IX Meeting of the Contracting Parties of the Barcelona Convention. This proposal was accepted by the Contracting Parties in the extraordinary meeting held in Montpellier in 1996, hence the Centre being designated as RAC/CP.

As far as the operative aspects are concerned, each Contracting Party of the Barcelona Convention designates a representative (National Focal Point, NFP), which together form an active network to impulse the transfer of knowledge in the Region. The NFP Network meets every two years to analyse the actions and design the future action plan for the following biennium.

The RAC/CP normal activities are financed by the Spanish government, once approved by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and the Bilateral Monitoring Commission (formed by representatives of the Spanish and the Catalan governments), which monitors the actions undertaken by the Centre in this field.

The RAC/CP participation in other MAP actions and in other extraordinary activities is done through a system of mixed financing, a different contribution being agreed on for each specific case.

The main goals of the RAC/CP are:

• Participate in the MAP and in the Mediterranean Commission about Sustainable Development (CMDS) activities.
• Co-ordinate the network of National Focal Points (NFP) , designated by the signatories of the Barcelona Convention.
• Advice the NFP about cleaner technology.
• Facilitate and promote the cleaner technology transfer and the exchange of experts.
• Promote demonstration projects and training activities.
• Carry out studies about pollution prevention alternatives in different fields and sectors of interest for the Region.
• Inform, through the publications of news and practical cases implemented in companies within the Mediterranean Region