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.
From 16–21 September, UNEP marked Clean Air Day and the upcoming International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) with an interactive exhibit at Osaka Expo 2025, showing how cleaner air and cutting food waste go hand in hand.
The week closed with “A Food Waste Breakthrough: Cutting Emissions by Reducing Food Waste”, highlighting Japan’s achievement as the only country to meet SDG 12.3 ahead of time—cutting food loss and waste by 53% since 2000 and now targeting 56% by 2030. Cities like Yokohama and Osaka shared community innovations, retailers like FamilyMart showcased consumer-focused campaigns, and food banks such as Second Harvest Japan demonstrated civil society impact.
The message was clear: halving food waste is one of the fastest, most effective climate solutions—cutting methane, cleaning our air, and boosting food security.
Learn more about the World Cleanup Day and solutions to beat pollution.
Over 300 people joined the the DemAl Festival in Bishkek on 13 September to mark the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, inspiring action to fight air pollution.
The festival was one of the over 150 events registered in the global campaign to celebrate this year's Clean Air Day. See highlights of the day.
The Global Framework on Chemicals Fund will open its second round of applications on 30 September, 2025.
The Fund provides financial support ranging from USD 300,000 to 800,000 to help countries and stakeholders address the entire lifecycle of chemicals, from production and use to waste management.
Attend this informational event on 30 September to learn more about the two-stage application process.
This webinar will explore how different actors—such as professionals working in public health, the environment, or water services—can come together to track, analyse, and respond to potential health risks identified through conducting wastewater and environmental surveillance activities. The One Health approach illustrates the interconnectedness of people, animals, and the environment.
The session will share real-life examples from across Africa, illustrating how collaboration across different sectors can help communities stay healthier and better protect the environment.
Be part of the conversation:
*French interpretation will be available
The annual Air Quality and Climate Bulletin of the World Meteorological Organization, published ahead of #CleanAirDay, traces the complex interplay between air quality and climate, highlighting the role of tiny particles called aerosols in wildfires, winter fog, shipping emissions and urban pollution. It stresses the need for improved atmospheric monitoring and more integrated policies to safeguard human and environmental health and reduce agricultural and economic losses.
Ahead of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for reining in "pollutants that choke people and heat the planet by investing in renewable energy, improving waste management, halting deforestation, including wildfires, and promoting eco-friendly agriculture."
Nitrogen use presents complex, far-reaching challenges for ecosystems, human health, livelihoods, and food systems. Addressing these issues goes beyond technical solutions and requires a systemic understanding of the social, economic, and political contexts in which they occur.
In this session, expert scientists will highlight the critical social dimensions of sustainable nitrogen management, demonstrating the value of integrating these perspectives into research, policy, and governance.
Cada dólar gastado en la restauración de bosques degradados puede resultar en US$ 30 en beneficios económicos.
