Countries Establish Global Panel on Chemicals, Waste Policy

In a move to strengthen global environmental governance, countries have agreed to establish a new intergovernmental science-policy panel focused on the sound management of chemicals and waste and the prevention of pollution. The decision follows years of negotiations convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is considered a major step toward addressing the growing health and environmental risks linked to chemicals and waste. 

The panel aims to provide independent scientific advice to support national policymaking and strengthen countries' capacity to make informed decisions. Designed to fill a critical gap in the global environmental framework, the panel will conduct global assessments, identify knowledge gaps, and translate complex scientific findings into accessible formats for decision-makers. It will also support the early identification of emerging threats and guide timely responses.

“Today we made history. This panel represents the union between science and cooperation to minimize the negative impacts of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. This is the first step toward meaningful action to address our global waste and pollution crisis and ensure a healthier, safer future for all,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP.

Andersen added that environmental multilateralism had once again delivered results and emphasized the urgency of operationalizing the panel to support countries effectively and protect future generations.

While chemicals are integral to modern life, their unintended impacts contribute to global pollution and rising disease burdens. Contamination affects the air, water, and soils on which human and environmental health depend. According to UNEP, global municipal solid waste is expected to grow from 2.1Bt in 2023 to 3.8Bt by 2050. The direct global cost of waste management in 2020 was estimated at US$252 billion. Air pollution alone is linked to approximately 6.5 million deaths each year, and deaths caused by modern forms of pollution have increased by 66% over the past two decades.

The panel is intended to bridge the science-policy gap by equipping governments, particularly in developing countries, with the evidence, tools, and expertise needed for context-specific action.

Negotiations leading to the panel’s creation began in 2022 following a resolution from the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), which called for the establishment of a science-policy body to address chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention. The latest negotiations were held in Punta del Este and built on the work of a technical working group, which reconvened to finalize unresolved matters from its 2024 session.

The panel will be hosted by UNEP. The next step involves preparing for its first plenary session, during which governments will define the panel’s initial work program, priorities, and mechanisms for collaboration with strategic partners.