Chemicals, waste, and pollution have become permanent features of our daily lives. They also pose direct threats to the environment and human health. In response, the fifth meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), in 2022, recognized that improving the availability of scientific information and assessments can enable more effective and efficient action to minimize and prevent the negative impacts of chemicals and waste, and prevent pollution to improve human well-being.
With this in mind, UNEA Resolution 5/8 called for establishing a new science-policy panel to contribute to the sound management of chemicals and waste and prevention of pollution. This panel could support countries in their efforts to implement multilateral environmental agreements and other international instruments, promote the sound management of chemicals and waste, and address pollution by providing policy-relevant scientific advice to decision makers.