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United Nations Environment Programme
Noticias Chemicals & pollution action

Spotlight on chemicals and pollution action

UNEP

Preventing, controlling and managing pollution is central to improving health, human well-being and prosperity for all.

UNEP drives capacity and leadership in sound management of chemicals and waste, while working to improve ways to reduce waste through circularity, and pollutants released to the air, water, soil and the ocean.

Below are chemicals and pollution highlights from the United Nations System, from partners and from others helping to call attention to the fact that the future of humanity and our planet depends on action now. 

19 Dec 2023 23:36

Switching over: Transjakarta to electrify bus fleet, with support from UNEP

A row of electric buses
Photo: UNEP

Puffing out pollutants and releasing greenhouse gases in the middle of a Jakarta traffic jam – this, for now, is the fate of most public buses in Jakarta. Provincial authorities are looking to change that – and with the support of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and its partners, replace the 10,000-strong fleet of the city’s bus company, Transjakarta, with electric buses by 2030.

So far, 100 new buses have been purchased under a pilot scheme, of which just over 50 are already on the streets of the capital, with the others awaiting their licenses. There is now a commitment, underpinned by a decree from the governor of Jakarta Province, to replace the rest. The plan was developed by Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), a non-governmental organization engaged by UNEP. 

Read the full story

Last updated at
04 Dec 2023 11:32

COP28: Plastics are no lifeboat for the fossil fuel industry

Inger Andersen speaking on stage
Photo: UNEP

The following is an excerpt from a speech on the climate impact of plastic production delivered by Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme at COP28 in Dubai.

Fossil fuels are the greatest contributor to climate change. They are the slow-acting poison in the veins of our planet and economies. Yes, they jacked us up. Revved us up. Got us moving. Now they are killing us. And still, the addicts that we are, we produce and consume more fossil fuels than the Earth system can take. UNEP’s Production Gap Report 2023 found that the world is planning 110 per cent more fossil fuels in 2030 than is consistent with 1.5°C.

We must end the addiction, including in the plastics industry, because business-as-usual growth in plastics would burn through up to 20 per cent of the carbon budget for 1.5°C by 2040 – mainly from the production of primary polymers and conversion into products. There are other climate implications of plastics. We need healthy ocean and coastal ecosystems to store carbon and build resilience to climate change. Yet 80 per cent of all plastic currently ends up in the oceans, and plastic production is set to triple by 2060. There can be no adaptation in a sea of plastic. 

Read the full speech.

Last updated at
24 Nov 2023 13:46

Do you know what’s fuelling the world’s antimicrobial resistance crisis?

Failing to comply with prescribed doses of antibiotics can lead to AMR spread
UNEP/Lisa Murray

The misuse of antibiotics, a lack of access to clean water and sanitation and pollution from pharmaceutical companies and farming are some of drivers of the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) around the world.

“AMR is a complex and interconnected crisis. It requires preventative and management measures with a ‘One Health’ approach that recognizes that the health of people, animals, plants and the environment are closely linked and interdependent," said Jacqueline Álvarez, the Chief of the Chemicals and Health Branch at UNEP. “

To mark the final day of World AMR Awareness Week, take a moment to learn about what is fuelling the current AMR crisis that the World Health Organization (WHO) lists as “among top 10 threats for global health.”

Last updated at
24 Nov 2023 09:47

How much do you know about AMR?

What is antimicrobial resistance or AMR? How does it develop and spread? What is its impact on global public health? And what can we all do help combat it?

Watch this video to get a better understanding of what has been called a ‘silent killer’.

Last updated at
23 Nov 2023 09:53

The environment is key in the spread of AMR

Environmental Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance

Global attention to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been dominated by a focus on the health and agriculture sectors. Increasingly, however, it is becoming clearer that environment also plays a key role in the development, transmission and spread of AMR to humans, animals and plants.

UNEP’s 2022 report “Environmental Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance: Summary for Policymakers,” explores how pollution in the environment, biodiversity loss and climate change are all contributing to the proliferation of AMR.

Last updated at
22 Nov 2023 14:44

Pollution is a major drivers of the development and spread of AMR, here is how…

Pollution on city streets of Abidjan, Cote d'ivoire
Photo: UNEP/Ollivier Girard

Pollution from pharmaceutical manufacturing, livestock farming, aquaculture and the healthcare sector are key drivers of AMR.

Untreated or inadequately treated waste from drug manufacturing factories often ends up in the environment, contributing to the build-up of drug resistant microbes.

The overuse of drugs in agriculture remains a concern as farmers around the world continue to rely on antimicrobials to maintain the health of animals and, in some cases, promote their growth.



An estimated 75 per cent of antibiotics used in aquaculture or aquafarming may be lost into the surrounding environment which could result in higher local concentrations of these pollutants with subsequent effects on antimicrobial resistance.

Last updated at
22 Nov 2023 12:34

Recording of the Global Youth Dialogue event on AMR

Prime Minister of Barbados and the Chair of the Global Leaders Group on AMR Mia Amor Mottley hosted The Global Youth Dialogue, a virtual event on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).



The event focused on the unique role youth can play in advocacy to intensify political and popular support to tackle AMR across sectors and to popularize AMR as a social issue. 

Last updated at
21 Nov 2023 14:16

What could the spread of antimicrobial resistance mean for the global economy?

AMR impacts global economy

Without immediate, coordinated action by governments, civil society, international organizations and the private sector, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could put the world’s economy in peril.

AMR could shave an estimated US$ 3.4 trillion off GDP annually and push 24 million more people into extreme poverty in the next decade.

According to the World Bank, by the year 2050, the global Gross Domestic Product could decline up to four per cent, and the livestock sector - a major source of economic activity - could shrink up to 11 per cent, pushing millions people into extreme poverty globally.



Ninety-three per cent of this could occur in developing countries if current antimicrobial resistance levels remain unchecked.  

Last updated at
21 Nov 2023 12:25

The virtual launch of the Quadripartite One Health Legislative Assessment Tool for antimicrobial resistance

Preventing AMR together

On 28 November, the AMR Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) will host a Zoom launch for the Quadripartite One Health Legislative Assessment Tool for antimicrobial resistance (AMR).



The Tool can be utilized by countries to assess the legal framework under a One Health approach. It is expected that the Tool will play an important role in the fight against AMR worldwide and is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

See below for times and links:



First session: 10:00 CET with interpretation English-French

Second session: 10:00 CET with interpretation English-French

Last updated at
20 Nov 2023 15:27

Overusing and misusing antibiotics contributes to AMR, here us how...

Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Here is how:

  • Self-medication or using antibiotics without proper medical oversight can lead to incorrect dosage and duration.
  • Misuse can include people not completing the full prescribed course of antibiotics and potentially allowing some bacteria to survive and develop resistance.
  • Inappropriate use of antibiotics allows more resistant bacteria to thrive, multiply and potentially lead to the development of "superbugs" that are difficult, if not impossible, to treat with existing antibiotics.
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