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.
The Portuguese version of the Policymakers’ Guide to Life Cycle Assessment – Policy Brief, developed by UNEP’s Life Cycle Initiative, was launched during the 4th Brazilian Forum on Life Cycle Assessment held from 7–9 October at the Universidade Federal de São Carlos, in Brazil.
The policy brief supports governments and stakeholders in integrating life cycle thinking into national policies and strategies for a more sustainable and circular future.
UNEP will host activities and events to promote the phase-out of mercury use in sectors such as mining and cosmetics through policymaking, industry transformation and awareness raising. A photographic exhibition in the sides of Lake Geneva and the screening of the Senegalese film Timpi Tampa defying toxic beauty ideals are some of the public activities in the agenda.
Governments worldwide channelled far more aid into projects that prolong fossil fuel use than into tackling air pollution, a new Clean Air Fund report reveals. In just one year, fossil fuel-prolonging funding jumped 80% to $9.5 billion, while clean air support fell by a fifth to $3.7 billion, leaving it stuck at around 1% of international development finance.
The State of Global Air Quality Funding 2025 reports urges governments and donors to redirect finance towards tackling air pollution to ensure a fair, clean transition.
Latin American and Caribbean countries agreed to urgently and significantly reduce methane emissions from the waste sector, prevent the disposal of organic waste in landfills and advance the progressive closure of dumpsites in the next 15 years.
In the XXIV meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of the region, the authorities approved a Regional Cooperation Programme with this shared vision, including integrated solutions across the entire waste management chain, from prevention (upstream), to deviation and valorization (midstream) and the improvement of final disposal infrastructure (downstream).
Currently, 45% of municipal waste is not adequately managed in the region, and more than 10,000 active dumpsites release uncontrolled methane emissions, posing risks to human health and the environment. Although organic waste accounts for 50% of total waste, less than 3% is recovered.
UNEP signed and memorandum of understanding with the Seoul Design Foundation (SDF), under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, to explore collaboration on circular design across industries. The partnership aims to advance circular economy practices through design-led industrial innovation.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) collectively known as the Quadripartite have jointly developed a campaign guide to support and guide this year WAAW. This guide provides key information and practical ideas to help you take part in the global commemoration of WAAW 2025. It includes the campaign theme, guidance on how to participate, and social media information. It also links to WAAW pages of Quadripartite organizations and offers direct access to multilingual communication materials and resources.
The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly is currently underway, with UNEP hosting and taking part in a number of events. View daily updates to stay informed.
In preparation for the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP6), happening in Geneva from 3 to 7 November 2025, participants are invited to sign up for a briefing:
Cada dólar gastado en la restauración de bosques degradados puede resultar en US$ 30 en beneficios económicos.
