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 1 - 10 of 203 results
20th Meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to the Stockholm Convention (POPRC-20)
The Committee has a varied and wide-ranging agenda to evaluate long lived toxic chemicals that adversely affect human health and the environment around the world.
20th Meeting of the Chemical Review Committee (CRC-20)
The Chemical Review Committee of the Rotterdam Convention has 33 notifications to review—nearly all pesticides—at a time when there are lively debates on the effectiveness of the Rotterdam Convention.
3rd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability
The Forum let stakeholders evaluate progress on the Global Framework on Chemicals' objectives and targets one year after its adoption.
14th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention
To prepare for the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties, delegates grappled with challenges in regulating the movement of transboundary waste. This requires a common understanding of what counts as waste as definitions continue to change as technology advances.
3rd Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on a Science-Policy Panel to Contribute Further to the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste and to Prevent Pollution
Delegates were expected to make significant progress in establishing the scientific foundations for better management of chemicals and waste. However, they were unable to reach consensus on the “foundational document” outlining the basic structure of the science-policy panel.
67th Meeting of the GEF Council
Council concluded deliberations on a heavy agenda, confirming key decisions taken throughout the four days of meetings including the first ever work program for the newly established GBFF, and the largest ever LDCF work program.
4th Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution, Including in the Marine Environment (INC-4)
While the plastic pollution negotiations started with lofty ambitions, it has become clear that a strong treaty is in no way guaranteed. With one more scheduled meeting left, some delegates left Ottawa wondering if they still had time to reach agreement to stem the tide of plastic pollution.
UN Plastics Treaty: Reuse - a Climate and Plastic Solution
Speakers during this side event discussed opportunities and challenges for promoting reuse systems, which can lead to a 90% reduction in packaging production and significant CO2 emissions reductions.
UNEA-6 and OECPR-6
Under the theme “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,” delegates adopted 15 resolutions, two decisions, and a Ministerial Declaration, covering topics including the highly hazardous pesticides, sustainable lifestyles, sand and dust storms, and environmental recovery in areas affected by armed conflict.
66th Meeting of the GEF Council
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council Members will consider a new work program of the GEF Trust Fund under GEF’s eighth replenishment cycle, how to streamline the GEF project cycle, and possible actions to support the new agreement on conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).