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Chemical pollution and biodiversity

Overview

Why this matters

Sectors & Impacts

Roadmap

Tools & Guidance

Synergies in Action

Resources

Pollution is jeopardizing ecosystems and human health, whether through contaminated air, soil and water, or exposure to harmful chemicals and waste.

Biodiversity, as defined under the Convention on Biological Diversity, means the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems (Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992). Ecosystem functions and services are closely linked to biodiversity: they describe the ecological processes and benefits that living systems help maintain, such as pollination, soil fertility, water purification, food-web stability and climate regulation (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005; IPBES, 2019).

Chemical pollution is a direct pressure on biodiversity because pollutants released to air, water, soil and waste streams can contaminate habitats, bioaccumulate through food webs, harm species, reduce ecosystem resilience and is recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss.

This Hub supports countries in connecting NBSAP implementation, KMGBF Target 7 and relevant chemicals and waste MEAs to reduce pollution risks and impacts to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services (Convention on Biological Diversity, 2022).

It connects the KMGBF, the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC), and relevant MEAs into a single resource for national focal points, policy makers and practitioners.

What this Hub provides

Overview of linkages: A concise overview of how chemical pollution and biodiversity loss are connected through sources, releases, pathways and impacts.
Sector-specific impacts: A practical view of key sectors, pollutant groups, biodiversity and health impacts, and selected KMGBF targets and MEA frameworks.
Indicators, tools and custodians: Sectoral indicators and linked data sources, tools and custodians to help national teams identify evidence, monitor progress and align reporting.
Synergies in action: Key milestones, country examples and cooperation processes supporting coherent implementation across biodiversity, chemicals and waste MEAs.
Roadmap and implementation guidance: Step-by-step roadmap to help countries integrate chemical pollution into NBSAP priorities, actions and reporting processes.

Who is this Hub for?

National MEA focal points (CBD, BRS, Minamata, UNFCCC) and government representatives involved in NBSAPs, NIPs and NAPs
MEA secretariats supporting ongoing synergetic work on chemicals pollution and biodiversity
IGOs, academia, NGOs and civil society involved in chemicals and biodiversity work
Practitioners working on national reporting and indicator alignment across frameworks

How do sources, releases, pathways, and impacts connect together?

Policy Framework

KMGBF Target 7

Adopted at CBD COP15, Target 7 calls for reducing pollution risks to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity by 2030. COP decision 16/35 explicitly invites chemicals conventions to collaborate on Target 7 implementation.

BRS Conventions

Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions collectively reduce pollutants threatening species, habitats and food webs. Decisions BC-16/22, RC-11/9, and SC-11/21 formally adopt the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC)

Adopted at ICCM5, the GFC oversees sound management of chemicals and waste towards a 'Planet Free of Harm.' Resolution V/6 calls for close MEA interactions, including strengthening linkages between chemicals and biodiversity agendas.

Minamata Conventions

Decision MC-5/17 highlights interconnected challenges of mercury pollution and biodiversity loss, advocating coordinated implementation to generate co-benefits. National Action Plans (NAPs) on ASGM increasingly underscore biodiversity linkages.

How to use this Hub

01
Understand the issue
Start with the pollution pathway & the explanations of how chemicals drive biodiversity loss.

02
Explore sector dynamics
Use Sectors & Impacts to understand where pollutant pressures arise and which impacts and frameworks are most relevant.

03
Access indicators and tools
Use Tools & Guidance to find sector-specific data, sources, tools and custodians.

04
Use roadmaps for planning
Apply the six-step roadmap to translate sector findings into NBSAP priorities, actions and reporting.

05
See collaboration and resources
Use Synergies in Action & Resources to identify ongoing processes, case studies and cross-MEAs support.

Chemical pollution is considered by the CBD as one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss.

Chemicals used across sectors such as mining, agriculture, industry and healthcare — and their resulting emissions and releases — disrupt the natural cycle of ecosystems and surrounding species, leading to the reduction of ecosystem services.

The scale of chemical production continues to grow without adequate safeguards. Global agricultural production significantly increased 2010–2023, implying continuous agrochemical use with direct biodiversity consequences.

$5T
Global chemicals market in 2017, projected to double by 2030
UNEP GCO II, 2019

3.69M t
Agricultural pesticide use worldwide in 2022, steadily increasing
FAO, 2024

20M+
People in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining that use mercury across 80+ countries
UNEP/Minamata

153%
Pesticide use in low-income countries estimated to have increased by 153% over the last decade
Wyckhuys et al., 2023

Sectoral Pollutant Pressures

The Case for Action

Direct Driver of Biodiversity Loss

Pollution is identified in international agreements as a direct driver of species decline. Pesticides reduce pollinator populations; mercury bioaccumulates in aquatic food webs; POPs degrade soils and disrupt food chains across ecosystems.
IPBES Global Assessment, 2019; CBD

KMGBF Target 7 Mandate

Target 7 commits all Parties to reduce pollution risks to biodiversity by 2030. CBD COP decision 16/35 explicitly invites chemicals conventions and the GFC to collaborate on implementation.
CBD COP15 Decision 15/4; COP16 Decision 16/35

Triple Planetary Crisis

The GFC was adopted to address the interconnected crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss Through preventing harm from chemicals and wastes, it aligns with the KMGBF to protect ecosystems.
ICCM5 Resolution V/6

Co-benefits for Health & Nature

Joint chemicals—biodiversity action yields co-benefits: reducing mercury in ASGM protects both miners' health and aquatic ecosystems. Minamata Decision MC-5/17 advocates coordinated implementation to generate such co-benefits.
Minamata COPS Decision MC-5/17

"Reduce pollution risks and the negative impact of pollution from all sources, by 2030, to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and ecosystem functions."
KMGBF Target 7, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (CBD COP15, 2022)

Sectors, Pollutants & Biodiversity Impacts

Summarization of sectors dynamics, key chemicals and pollutants as well as biodiversity and health impacts.

How Key Sectors Drive Biodiversity Loss

Mining & Extractives

Impact of mining and extractive sector on biodiversity

Includes large-scale mining, ASGM, other metals, artisanal small scale gold mining and non-ferrous metals mining. Mercury, cyanide and borax cause deforestation, land degradation, methylmercury bioaccumulation in aquatic food webs, DNA mutations from long-term heavy metal exposure, and disruption of wildlife reproduction in fish-eating birds and mammals.

Agriculture

Covers fisheries, crops, animals, forestry and agroforestry. Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) and fertilizers degrade soils, harm pollinators and beneficial organisms, deplete oxygen in aquatic ecosystems, and cause neurological, endocrine and reproductive impacts on humans — especially agricultural workers.

Healthcare & Pharma

Impact of healthcare and pharma sector on biodiversity

Pharmaceuticals, skin-lightening cosmetics, medical measuring devices, dental amalgam and lighting sources release mercury, hydroquinone and POPs. Mismanagement of medical waste releases hazardous residues into water and soils, bioaccumulating in aquatic ecosystems and causing endocrine disruption.

Infrastructure & Construction

Impact of infrastructure and construction sector on biodiversity

Construction and marine infrastructure rely on biocides, protective coatings (epoxy, polyurethane, Bisphenol-A), corrosion inhibitors, solvents, copper, lead, cadmium, mercury, phthalates and flame retardants — leading to heavy metal accumulation in sediments, microplastic release, and endocrine disruption in aquatic species.

Industry & Manufacturing

Impact of industry and manufacturing sector on biodiversity

Chemical manufacturing and the scientific chemicals industry use acids, bases, petrochemicals, solvents, ethylene, propylene, acetone and ethanol — among the top ten industrial chemicals worldwide — affecting freshwater and marine systems and biodiversity.

Energy & Fossil Fuels

Main source of global GHG emissions. SO₂ and NOₓ generate acid rain and smog; thermal power plants disrupt aquatic life; hydroelectric installations physically alter water systems; wind, solar and hydro infrastructure clear vast land areas, degrading habitats.

Waste & Recycling

Improper management of hazardous waste from coal, oil, industrial chemicals, POPs, pharmaceuticals, antimicrobials, heavy metals and plastics degrades soil and water, drives habitat loss and species migration, and releases SO₂, NOₓ and particulates through incineration and open burning.

Chemicals & Pollution in NBSAPs Roadmap

The UNEP roadmap provides step by step guidance on integrating chemicals pollution into NBSAP implementation and national reporting.

Preliminary screening
Understand the sector, pollution and biodiversity context
Stakeholder engagement & planning
Connect mandates, actors and responsibilities
Assessment, data needs & indicators
Define evidence, data needs and indicators
NBSAP integrating & priority-setting
Translate findings into NBSAP priorities and targets.
Action planning & implementation
Define concrete measures, roles, resources and delivery
Monitoring, reporting & adaptive review
Track progress, report results and update action over time

Tools & Guidance for Action

The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and Biodiversity

Minamata Convention on Mercury and Biodiversity

Report on the contributions of the BRS Conventions and the Global Framework on Chemicals to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: 2030 Targets with Guidance and Analysis

KMGBF Targets Legend

Target 2: Restore 30% of degraded ecosystems
Target 3: Conserve 30% of land, waters and seas
Target 7: Reduce pollution to levels not harmful to biodiversity
Target 8: Minimize the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and build resilience
Target 10: Sustainability in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry
Target 11: Restore, maintain and enhance nature's contributions to people
Target 14: Integrate biodiversity in decision-making at every level
Target 16: Enable sustainable consumption to reduce waste and overconsumption
Target 22: Ensure participation, access to justice and information on biodiversity
Target 23: Ensure gender equality and a gender responsive approach for biodiversity action

Steps

See on previous tab the Chemicals & Pollution in NBSAPs Roadmap with detailed guidance on planning, implementation and reporting.