Today, the Global Chemicals Outlook II was launched during the fourth United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. This landmark study highlights an alarming picture about the unintended consequences of society’s use of chemicals. The report comments that even despite many commitments and initiatives to address the problem, the human and environmental cost of chemical pollution continues to grow.
Urgent action is needed to tackle chemical pollution, especially in light of the fact that the global chemical industry is set to double production by 2030. The benefits from addressing chemical pollution are estimated to yield tens of billions of dollars annually. Encouragingly, there is growing interest in developing green and sustainable chemistry innovations and signals that a new global framework for chemical management may emerge to support the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Global Chemicals Outlook II: From Legacies to Innovative Solutions – Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has been prepared by UN Environment over the past three years through a process involving more than 400 scientists and experts around the world. Representatives from The Natural Step’s chemicals coalition have contributed to the report, lending their expertise from working with the chemical industry and downstream sectors.
The Natural Step is a partner to UN Environment (UNEP) and is providing further input on the topic of sustainable chemistry. To learn more about our involvement and views on chemicals and sustainability, or to contact our representatives, visit www.thenaturalstep.org/chemicals.
Further Reading:
UN Environment Press Release
Global Chemicals Outlook II Synthesis Report