1. Topics

Chemicals & Wastes

When used improperly or disposed of unsafely, chemicals pose significant risks for both the environment and human health. Toxic chemicals are found in all ecosystems on Earth, including Antarctica and the most remote seas, affecting biodiversity, agricultural production, water quality, and human health. Over 100 million man-made chemicals and chemical formulations are used in every sector of the industrial economy. Many chemicals, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury, travel over large distances through air, water currents, and in migratory species. Some POPs can remain in the human body for more than 50 years. Mercury, an element, is infinitely persistent. While chemicals and waste are major contributors to world economies, their sound management is essential to avoiding risks to human health and ecosystems and substantial costs to national economies.

Events and Articles

Filter by:

Showing 1 - 10 of 223 results

Eighth GEF Assembly and 71st Meeting of the GEF Council

High-level discussions on governance and financing solutions for global environmental action will touch on the ninth replenishment cycle of the GEF (GEF-9), including its strategic priorities and programming directions.
Event 31 May 2026 - 5 June 2026

70th Meeting of the GEF Council

At their December 2025 meetings, the Councils of the family of funds managed by the GEF approved approximately USD 372 million in funding to support climate action, biodiversity conservation, pollution prevention and reduction, and integrated environmental action across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Event 15 December 2025 - 19 December 2025

GEF Consultation with CSOs

Participants reviewed progress toward the ninth replenishment cycle and considered ways to ensure implementation of the whole-of-society approach throughout the cycle. They called for increased funding for the Small Grants Program and the Inclusive Conservation Initiative, as well as enhanced engagement with civil society and other non-state actors. 
Event 12 December 2025

24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP 24)

A sustainable, climate-resilient, and inclusive Mediterranean blue economy was the common vision identified in Cairo. Celebrating 50 years of MAP and the Convention, the meeting adopted a new Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development and the Cairo Ministerial Declaration, which emphasizes the value of shared commitment and collaboration.
Conference of the Parties (COP) 2 December 2025 - 5 December 2025

OECPR-7 and UNEA-7

Delegates at UNEA-7 confronted new and emerging issues, linking the environment to technology, health, and the global economy, while also considering how best to deal with ever-growing concerns pertaining to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Event 1 December 2025 - 12 December 2025

6th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-6)

Parties faced a pivotal test: can global efforts keep pace with the ambition to end mercury use and exposure? They confronted this challenge head on, addressing how to accelerate the phase-out of mercury across products, processes, and mining while closing persistent gaps in supply and trade.
Conference of the Parties (COP) 3 November 2025 - 7 November 2025

Minamata Convention on Mercury

Over 2,000 years ago, the first emperor of China wanted to live forever, and believed that mercury held the key to eternal life. Over the centuries, the perception of mercury as mystical gave way to an idea that it was safe; safe enough to use as dental fillings for children, and to apply directly to scraped knees, even though there were concerns about the negative impacts of mercury exposure.
Article

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

When scientists discovered a hole in the Earth’s ozone layer over Antarctica in 1985, the world was struck with fear. The reaction was swift. Public health experts immediately warned the increasing intensity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation may greatly increase the incidence of skin cancer and cataracts, and could significantly damage global crops and the aquatic food chain.
Article