When Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite in 1907, it was hailed as “the material of a thousand uses”. The production of synthetic plastics took off over the coming decades but now that the environmental cost of these miracle materials is becoming ever clearer, the hunt is on for more sustainable alternatives.  

When Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite in 1907, it was hailed as “the material of a thousand uses”. The production of synthetic plastics took off over the coming decades but now that the environmental cost of these miracle materials is becoming ever clearer, the hunt is on for more sustainable alternatives.  

Near the Issyk-Kul Lake in the eastern mountains of the Kyrgyz Republic lies Jyrgalan, a village of 1,000 inhabitants. The scenic village was once a hidden gem but is quickly gaining traction as a tourist destination, with biking and hiking trails having multiplied. But this is posing challenges such as increased waste generation, including plastics.

• Coal used in residential heating is the main source of air pollution in the Kyrgyz capital
• Heat pumps, renewables, energy efficiency needed in response

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 31 October 2022 – Improving how homes are heated is the most effective way to prevent deaths from poor air quality in the Kyrgyz capital, finds the first ever study of key air pollution sources and impacts for the city release

Nairobi/Kyiv, 4 July 2022 - Preliminary monitoring of the conflict in Ukraine points to significant impacts on urban and rural environments that could leave the country and region with a toxic legacy for generations to come, according to initial impact monitoring conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partner organizations

• Bishkek today ranks as number two in the world for air pollution
• The Kyrgyz Republic aims to reduce coal use and improve environmental monitoring

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 9 February 2022 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has called for partners to work together and support the Kyrgyz Republic’s transition away from coal, as the country’s capital today ranks as number two in the world

In a milestone for the environment, Europeans purchased more electric cars than those powered by diesel last month. According to recent data, over 20 per cent of new cars sold in Europe and the United Kingdom (UK) in December 2021 were electric. Meanwhile, the sale of diesel vehicles in the European Union (EU) slipped below 19 per cent.

This week, scientists and representatives from 195 countries are gathered at the 54^th Session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to review the world’s most comprehensive assessment of our climate - the Sixth Assessment Report.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have agreed to jointly boost the role of the circular economy towards achieving sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12), in the green recovery and transition, through a set of common policy and political actions.