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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has reiterated the urgent need for a dedicated science-policy panel to tackle global pollution, chemicals, and waste, aligning with existing bodies that address climate change and biodiversity loss.

The call was made during opening remarks by UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen at a side-event of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions Conference of the Parties. The event, titled “From Evidence to Policy Action,” focused on the formation of a science-policy interface to strengthen international responses to pollution and hazardous chemicals.

Addressing a Long-Recognized Gap in Global Governance

While scientific bodies already support existing multilateral environmental agreements, Andersen highlighted that the pollution and waste crisis lacks a comparable global panel. In contrast, climate-related decisions are informed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and biodiversity policies benefit from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

In March 2022, members of the UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution to establish a third panel dedicated to chemicals, waste, and pollution. According to UNEP, this initiative aims to fill a long-acknowledged gap in global science-policy collaboration and complete what Andersen termed a “trio of panels” addressing the triple planetary crisis.

Rising Risks from Pollution and Chemical Exposure

The need for such a panel is driven by increasing global risks associated with pollution and waste. According to UNEP, pollution is linked to approximately 9 million premature deaths annually and results in trillions of dollars in economic losses. With the global chemicals industry continuing to expand, the risks of exposure to hazardous substances may grow unless prevention and management are prioritized.

The proposed science-policy panel is intended to offer countries access to coordinated, evidence-based insights to support national decision-making. Andersen emphasized that the panel will not prescribe specific actions or targets, but instead provide relevant science to inform country-level responses. The structure of the panel will emphasize credibility, inclusiveness, and adaptability to changing global conditions.