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United Nations Environment Programme
News Chemicals & pollution action

Spotlight on chemicals and pollution action

Credit: UNEP/Ahmed Nayim Yussuf

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.

This feed will keep you up to date on the latest news from the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), which is currently meeting in Busan, Republic of Korea, to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. 

15 Apr 2024 11:09

World Circular Economy Forum 2024

Event poster for the World Circular Economy Forum 2024

The World Circular Economy Forum 2024, the world's premier gathering for circular economy thinkers, doers, and leaders, will take place in Brussels this week, 15–18 April, 2024. It will highlight the most effective circular solutions from throughout the world. The International Resource Panel will present the most recent findings of the Global Resources Outlook 2024, as well as policy-relevant messages, in a series of events.

 

Last updated at
12 Apr 2024 16:13

It's time to #beatplasticpollution

In this video, we explain why plastic has become so ubiquitous, used in everything from children’s toys and medical equipment to beauty products and airplanes. And while plastic was once hailed as a miracle product, we now know the damage plastic pollution does to ecosystems, the climate, human health and the economy.

Central to ending plastic pollution is the elimination of unnecessary plastic, the redesign of products – including packaging – so they can be more easily reused, repaired and recycled, and switching to non-plastic substitutes that help protect the environment, human health, and our economy. 

It's time to #beatplasticpollution

Last updated at
02 Apr 2024 20:31

Global efforts needed to combat waste trafficking to Southeast Asia, new research by UNODC and UNEP reveals

Illegal trade in waste (or waste trafficking) is a type crime that affects the environment and is a growing problem across the world. Once it reaches destination countries, illegal waste often ends up in illegal landfills and illegal storage sites or is burnt in the open, causing harm to the environment and human health, undermining the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the transition toward a circular economy.

A first-ever mapping of waste trafficking trends from Europe to Southeast Asia has been published today. Produced by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UNEP, the new research sheds light on how criminal actors exploit legal trade and regulatory and enforcement loopholes for financial gain. It also explores the negative impact this crime has on the global circular economy.

Last updated at
02 Apr 2024 18:08

Revised draft text of international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution now available in all six UN languages

A single-use plastic water bottle in the ocean
Photo: Unsplash/Brian Yurasits

The revised draft text of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, is now available on the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-4) webpage in all six UN official languages. To access the documents, please visit the official documents tab.

For further information, contact unep-incplastic.secretariat@un.org. 

Last updated at
30 Mar 2024 11:43

#BeatWastePollution this #ZeroWasteDay

 

Last updated at
28 Mar 2024 19:33

Eight ways to overcome the waste pollution crisis

An aerial shot of waste pollution next to vegetation.
Photo: UNEP/Ollivier Girard

Humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste a year.  

When improperly managed, much of that refuse—from food and plastics to electronics and textiles—emits greenhouse gases or poisonous chemicals. This damages ecosystems, inflicts disease and threatens economic prosperity, disproportionately harming women and youth.

“Overconsumption is killing us. Humanity needs an intervention,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “On this Zero Waste Day, let’s pledge to end the destructive cycle of waste, once and for all.” 

Explore eight ways to embrace a zero waste approach.

Last updated at
20 Mar 2024 19:51

5 things you should know about ‘clean energy’ minerals and the dirty process of mining them

A copper mine in Tabriz, Iran
Photo: Unsplash/Omid Roshan

If the world is to move away from fossil fuels, we will need to extract far more rare minerals, to power renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar plants. However, energy experts point out that mining these minerals can be a dirty process, ravaging the environment, and leading to human rights abuses. 

Mining can devastate the environment if done unsustainably, leading to deforestation, water pollution and what is known as dewatering. Just to take one example, it takes two million litres of water to extract a single tonne of lithium. But some 50 per cent of global copper and lithium production are concentrated in areas with water scarcity.

A UN-wide effort is under way to ensure energy transition minerals are fairly and sustainably managed. The push was launched in 2023, with the aim of building trust, reliability and sustainability into the supply chains of these minerals. 

Here are 5 things you should know about ‘clean energy’ minerals and the dirty process of mining them.

Last updated at
08 Mar 2024 11:34

Tide Turners and partners mark the end of UNEA-6

 

Last updated at
05 Mar 2024 18:23

UNEA-6 highlights rising global role of UNECE Multilateral Environmental Agreements to address triple planetary crisis

People sitting at a panel
Photo: UNEP/Natalia Mroz

Faced with increasing impacts of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, which together constitute the “triple planetary crisis”, no country can act alone. Like nature itself, these challenges know no borders, which makes international cooperation a crucial part of action to address them.  

With this recognition, the role of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) – including those negotiated at UNECE – emerged as a key feature of discussions at the world’s highest decision-making body on the environment, the United Nations Environment Assembly, which held its sixth session (UNEA-6) on 26 February-1 March in Nairobi, Kenya.  

Last updated at
28 Feb 2024 15:11

Making rubbish a resource to end wasteful culture

Photo of people on sitting at a panel
Photo: UNEP

"This report shows that the direct cost of waste management was US$252 billion in 2020, which rises to US$361 billion when externalities are included. These externalities include the costs of pollution, resulting in poor health and greenhouse gas emissions from waste. Unless we take urgent action, total annual costs could almost double as waste generation rises," said Inger Andersen at the launch of the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 report.

"However, we can’t keep coming at the waste problem by trying to manage what we throw away. Open burning of waste is a disaster. Dumpsites are a disaster. Recycling can’t cope with the sheer volume of waste. To realize the vision of a zero-waste society, we need to redefine what waste is. A lot of what we throw away is a valuable resource, so we must start rethinking the design and delivery of products and services to keep resources in the economy," Ms. Andersen added.

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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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