Chemicals and waste are part of our everyday life, but they also have major impacts on the environment and human health. With the world’s population growing, preventing pollution is becoming ever more important.
The challenge
Pollution continues to be the world's largest environmental risk factor for disease and premature death. It is estimated to be responsible for at least 9 million deaths a year globally.
Driven by unsustainable production and consumption patterns, the pollution crisis is placing a burden on health systems, reducing productivity, holding back economies, and hindering the ecosystemic services on which humanity depends.
But science shows that it is possible to transition to a cleaner world, with a less resource-intensive economy, protecting human health while keeping economies growing.
It is estimated that minimizing the adverse impact of chemical pollution can save tens of billions of US$ annually. Embracing a life cycle approach and bolstering waste management globally would lead to an annual net gain of US$108.5 billion by 2050.
Countries continue to address challenges linked to air, soil, and water pollution and exposure to toxic chemicals under the auspices of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and UNEP-hosted entities, but there is still much work to be done.
The Global Framework on Chemicals, adopted in 2023, presents five strategic objectives and 28 targets to be reached by 2030 or 2035, and through the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions countries have agreed to strengthen action against persistent organic pollutants and ensure the safe movement, trade and disposal of hazardous chemicals and wastes.
Working with partners
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) encourages policies and investments to reduce chemical risks to health and the environment, and works closely with governments, international organizations, industry, and the civil society to develop integrated, forward-looking solutions and alliances to prevent pollution, enabling circular and resource-efficient economies.
Working alongside its partners, UNEP catalyses international action on sustainable chemicals and waste management and plays a leading role in developing and supporting international chemicals and waste-related agreements.
UNEP also works with national governments to help them develop regulatory frameworks and other policy instruments on chemicals and waste, and serves as a global clearinghouse for relevant scientific and technical knowledge.
