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News 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. 

15 Jul 2024 14:11

Deadly and growing impact of air pollution laid bare in new UNICEF-backed report

The State of Global Air report published in June in partnership with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that air pollution is increasingly impacting human health - and is now the second leading global risk factor for premature death.

Dr. Pallavi Pant, Head of Global Health at Health Effects Institute said, “This new report offers a stark reminder of the significant impacts air pollution has on human health, with far too much of the burden borne by young children, older populations, and low- and middle-income countries.”

She continued, “This points sharply at an opportunity for cities and countries to consider air quality and air pollution as high-risk factors when developing health policies and other noncommunicable disease prevention and control programmes.”

More on this.

Access the report.

Last updated at
27 Jun 2024 20:19

From problem to solution: waste management can help address triple planetary crisis

Inger Andersen speaking at a podium
Photo: UNEP

"...it is clear, we need to move beyond the waste era we are living in. An era driven by a throw away culture, cheaply made products and increasing consumer demand. We need to decouple waste generation from economic growth and shift to zero waste models, embrace waste management and embed circular economy approaches across economies and societies.

"Circularity and zero waste approaches can help break our waste addiction. Zero waste initiatives in just five sectors - cement, aluminum, steel, plastics, and food – could eliminate an estimated half of the emissions from the production of goods – 9.3 billion tonnes of CO2eq in 2050 – equivalent to cutting current emissions from the transport sector to zero," said Inger Andersen at the International Forum on Green World Solidarity in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Read the full speech.

Last updated at
21 Jun 2024 09:39

How science-policy bodies are driving solutions to planetary crises

Image of chemistry equipment
Image: UNEP

Environmental policies are greatly enhanced when expert advice is provided, including on climate change, nature and pollution.

Science-policy panels are specifically designed to provide decision makers, including governments, with the information they need to make informed environmental policy. They assess the latest science to come to an authoritative consensus of where the science and evidence stands.

This month, a UNEP-hosted working group gathered in the Swiss city of Geneva to decide on the structure of the new science-policy panel, with the first session of the panel’s governing body expected to be held early next year.

Ahead of that, here is a deeper look at science-policy panels and why they are important.

Last updated at
17 Jun 2024 11:24

OEWG3 is underway this week

 

Last updated at
14 Jun 2024 09:53

Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy-making for a Pollution-free Planet

Image with text and an illustration of waste products
Image: UNEP

Following the UN Environment Assembly resolution 5/8 in 2022, countries will meet at the International Conference Center in Geneva (CICG), Switzerland, from 17 to 21 June 2024 for the third session of the ad hoc open-ended working group to prepare proposals to establish an independent, intergovernmental panel to help countries better manage chemicals and waste, and to prevent pollution.

At its third session to be held in-person, the working group is expected to conclude its substantive discussions on proposals for the establishment of a science-policy panel and how the panel will be structured.

Ahead of the meeting, UNEP has prepared a factsheet on the need to act towards a pollution-free planet and how the science-policy panel will help in this process.

Get the factsheet.

Last updated at
11 Jun 2024 08:25

Happening today: Chemicals and Waste Negotiations Briefing 2024

A man in a hazmat suit handling chemicals
Photo: Pixabay

Happening today from 10:00 CEST online and in Geneva, the Chemicals and Waste Negotiations briefing will provide an overview of the work and key activities to advance the sound management of chemicals and waste globally. The event will also present the new Global Framework on Chemicals, adopted by the 5th International Conference on Chemicals Management in Bonn in 2023.

More information about the event, including participation details.

Last updated at
08 Jun 2024 15:17

UNEP Issues Note on deep-sea mining impacts

See the UNEP Issues Note on this.

Last updated at
04 Jun 2024 17:52

Briefing on the preparations for OEWG 3

Photo of the outside of a building during daytime.
Photo: Geneva Environment Network

This briefing will provide updates on the preparations for the third session of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on the Science-Policy Panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (OEWG 3) taking place in Geneva, from 17 to 21 June 2024.

When: 06 Jun 2024 | 1400–1530 hrs CEST

Where: International Environment House II, Geneva & Online

Register for:

Last updated at
31 May 2024 16:43

Quadripartite Key Recommendations and Priorities for the 2024 UNGA AMR meeting

Report cover with words and images on it
Image: UNEP

This document sets out the key recommendations of the Quadripartite organizations for an urgent and more accelerated response to AMR, for consideration by Member States at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-level Meeting (HLM) on AMR in September 2024.

The HLM on AMR presents a unique opportunity for global leaders to invest in the present and secure our future by enabling effective national and global actions to save millions of lives, safeguard animal health, food safety, food security, protect the environment, and fortify economies against the threats of AMR for years to come.

Access the document.

Last updated at
23 May 2024 15:28

Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from Fashion and Construction Value Chains

Colourful textiles and a wall
Image: Pexels

The event, Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from Fashion and Construction Value Chains, is happening in Geneva and online on 30 May 2024 from 2 PM CET.

The event will delve into cross-cutting and policy issues within the construction and fashion value chains while introducing the Global Coordination Project of the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Integrated Program (IP) on Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from Supply Chains.

Registration and more information.

Last updated at
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Related Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 3

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
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Goal 11

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
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Goal 15

Goal 15: Life on Land
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