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
Showing 21 - 30 of 205 results
Youth Forum on Chemicals Governance 2023
This UN Major Group for Children and Youth-convened side event aimed to engage youth in the design, implementation, monitoring, follow-up, and review of chemicals and waste policies at all levels.
World Health Organization (WHO) Chemicals Roadmap: Poisons Centers Saving Lives and Health Sector Costs
Policymakers and experts shared the myriad of issues facing poison centers around the world while emphasizing their critical role in toxicovigilance and the anticipated framework for managing chemicals and wastes.
Human Biomonitoring – A Tool for Exposure and Risk Assessment of Chemicals
This ICCM5 side event explored a vital scientific tool for assessing human exposure to chemicals and pollutants at national, regional, and global levels.
Leveraging Sustainable Chemistry and Circular Economy for Global Environmental Resilience: Addressing the Impacts of Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in the Amazon
Panelists shared strategies for tackling the environmental impacts and health risks of using mercury in artisanal and small-scale mining while acknowledging the challenge of supporting the 20 million people worldwide earning a living from ASM.
The Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste: At the Heart of the Right to a Safe and Healthy Working Environment
One million workers die every year due to hazardous exposure to chemicals, while millions more face chronic illnesses. This ICCM5 side event explored this occupational health crisis, as regulatory risk assessment struggles to respond.
Opening of the German Pavilion
As host to ICCM5 and exploring the theme "United for a fair and chemical safe future," Germany opened its pavilion's week of events that connect chemicals to climate, agriculture, labor, human rights, and economics, among other issues.
5th International Conference on Chemicals Management and Resumed 4th Meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering SAICM and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020
At the end of a long week of negotiations, delegates adopted the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste, along with 12 resolutions and a High-level Declaration to ensure chemicals are managed so that human health and the environment are protected from their dangers.
2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability
The Forum will focus on the contributions of the health, food, and labor sectors, and on the need for scientific, technical, social, economic, and financial innovations to overcome the pollution crisis and achieve just transition
7th GEF Assembly
In a watershed moment for biodiversity, GEF Assembly members unanimously agreed to ratify the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund—a new source of funding for protecting endangered species and their ecosystems globally. The meeting also featured the first-ever Partnership Forum, which brought together Indigenous Peoples, youth, women, and representatives of civil society organizations to discuss ways the GEF can support their empowerment and recognition.
64th Meeting of the GEF Council
Council Members focused on supporting new, key environmental agreements and frameworks, reaching consensus on the establishment of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, including its programming directions, and on preparing the GEF to serve as part of the financial mechanism for the Agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).