As an Assistant Task Manager within UNEP’s GEF Chemicals and Waste Unit, Yolanda Cachu is dedicated to ending the harm caused by toxic chemicals and waste.
In an interview, we sat down with her to discuss her work and how she came to work on Small-Island Developing States (SIDS).
What do you do in the Chemicals team?
I manage projects under the Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-chemical Development in Small Island Developing States (ISLANDS) Programme, which supports 33 SIDS across the Atlantic, Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Oceans to safely and sustainably manage chemical and hazardous waste. This supports the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, two vital multilateral environmental agreements designed to protect human health and the environment.
How did you get into this line of work?
With a background in Biology, I have always been interested in pollution and its impact on our environment. This led me from working in academia on ecology to the United Nations’ Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). There, I focused on improving resource efficiency and reducing pollution in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. This journey eventually brought me to UNEP to work on hazardous chemicals and waste management. It seems like a significant change but the issues I once studied, such as loss of habitat because of land use change, global warming, and of course, chemical pollution, are the same ones we address in our Unit’s projects, just on a different scale and from a different perspective.
What has surprised you most whilst working on pollution?
The most striking realization is the complexity and all-compassing nature of chemical pollution. It affects all aspects of our life: what we eat, the clothes we wear, our housing and household products, and, of course, the environment we live in. Chemicals are everywhere, in everything. Yet, we often don’t think about it that way.
What are some of the most pressing challenges to address?
We cannot address a problem we are not aware exists. It's encouraging that pollution, especially caused by plastics and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), is gaining public awareness. However, there's still a need to broaden the understanding beyond plastic pollution. Many hazardous chemicals, present in everyday household items as I mentioned, are not widely recognized. Even in the environmental sector, not everyone knows what a POP is for example.
What issue doesn’t receive enough attention?
It would be great to see more emphasis on pollution prevention, which is easier and cheaper than treatment. For example, re-designing batteries and electronic equipment to be easily disassembled and recycled could significantly reduce waste. Planned obsolescence is equally important, as is private sector involvement, as industries must transition to more sustainable practices.
What are you most excited to work on looking ahead?
I am very excited that ISLANDS Caribbean is fully up and running in twelve participating countries. We are also planning projects that complement ISLANDS in the Caribbean region such as the “Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from Supply Chains” Integrated Programme which is focusing on fashion and construction. Watch this space!
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Global Environment Facility
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral fund dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health. Its grants, blended financing, and policy support helps developing countries address their biggest environmental priorities and adhere to international environmental conventions. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $22 billion in financing and mobilized another $120 billion for more than 5,000 national and regional projects.
For more information, please contact:
Yolanda Cachu, Assistant Task Manager, Chemicals and Waste Portfolio, UNEP
