The speech titled “Triple Science-Policy Panels for a Triple Planetary Crisis,” delivered by UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, emphasizes the urgent need to establish a dedicated science-policy panel to address pollution, waste, and chemical exposure—completing a trio of panels tackling the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

While climate and biodiversity issues are guided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), respectively, pollution and waste lack a comparable authoritative body. Recognizing this gap, the UN Environment Assembly in March 2022 adopted a resolution to create a new science-policy panel focused on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention.
Pollution is a pressing global issue, contributing to approximately nine million premature deaths annually and causing trillions of dollars in economic losses. The expanding chemicals industry heightens the risk of harmful exposures, underscoring the need for informed and coordinated policy responses.

The proposed panel aims to provide credible, inclusive, and adaptable scientific assessments to support nations in making informed decisions. It will not set mandates or targets but will offer policy-relevant science that considers national contexts, including chemical usage patterns and available alternatives. By illuminating areas requiring global attention and highlighting effective solutions, the panel seeks to enhance the global response to pollution and waste challenges.

The upcoming session of the ad hoc open-ended working group is anticipated to be pivotal in finalizing the panel’s foundational structure, marking a significant step toward comprehensive scientific support across all facets of the triple planetary crisis.

Source: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)