New UN Panel aims to tackle global chemical pollution crisis

Maya García
3 days ago
4 min read

On 20 June 2025, representatives from 193 countries gathered in Punta del Este, Uruguay, to establish the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution (ISP-CWP), a landmark initiative under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The panel, designed to address the escalating global challenge of chemical pollution and waste, aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12), which promotes responsible consumption and production. Modelled on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the ISP-CWP aims to provide evidence-based guidance to policymakers, fostering sustainable management of chemicals and waste worldwide.

A response to a growing crisis

The decision to create the ISP-CWP follows a 2022 UN Environment Assembly resolution calling for a dedicated body to tackle pollution, one of the three pillars of the global environmental crisis alongside climate change and biodiversity loss. Chemical pollution poses severe risks to human health and ecosystems, contributing to over 2 million premature deaths annually, including 6.5–6.7 million from air pollution and 5.5 million from lead exposure in 2019 alone, according to UNEP data. Global municipal solid waste is projected to rise from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, exacerbating environmental degradation, particularly in developing nations with limited waste management infrastructure.

The panel’s mandate is to deliver independent, peer-reviewed scientific assessments to guide global policies on chemical management, waste reduction, and pollution prevention. Its establishment marks a significant step toward addressing SDG 12’s targets, which include sustainable resource use and environmentally sound chemical management by 2030. The ISP-CWP will collaborate with frameworks like the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC), adopted in 2023, to promote safer industrial practices and circular economies.

Collaborative efforts and global support

The creation of the ISP-CWP reflects years of multilateral negotiations involving governments, scientists, businesses, and civil society, including Indigenous Peoples and youth groups. Switzerland has pledged financial and logistical support, hosting the panel’s secretariat in Geneva and its first governing body meeting later in 2025. Countries like Jamaica and Saint Kitts and Nevis have welcomed the panel, viewing it as a tool to strengthen national chemical policies and address vulnerabilities in small island developing states (SIDS). For instance, Jamaican environmental leaders are advocating for a national chemical policy to align with global standards, a move that could inspire other Caribbean nations.

The panel’s collaborative approach draws inspiration from the IPCC’s success in shaping climate policy. By integrating diverse perspectives, including those of underrepresented groups, the ISP-CWP aims to ensure equitable solutions. Youth activists, through platforms like the UNEP Children and Youth Major Group, have pushed for stronger protections against chemical pollution, highlighting its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities.

Challenges on the horizon

Despite the optimism surrounding the panel’s launch, significant challenges remain. Developing nations, which bear the brunt of chemical pollution due to inadequate waste management systems, face barriers in implementing the panel’s recommendations. Toxic substances like pesticides and discarded pharmaceuticals continue to contaminate waterbodies and soil, threatening ecosystems and food security. The panel’s impact is also tempered by its timeline: it will take years to produce comprehensive assessments, delaying actionable outcomes.

Geopolitical tensions further complicate progress. During negotiations, some countries resisted objectives focused on human health and gender equality, reflecting broader politicisation of environmental issues. Organisations like the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) have cautioned that these divisions, coupled with the slow pace of implementation, could undermine the panel’s effectiveness. Additionally, industries reliant on chemicals and plastics face economic pressures in transitioning to sustainable practices, particularly as global demand for these materials grows.

Emerging trends and local impact

The ISP-CWP’s creation signals a broader trend toward science-driven environmental governance, complementing existing frameworks like the GFC and upcoming plastic pollution treaty negotiations in August 2025. It also highlights the growing role of local actions in global sustainability efforts. In Senegal, for example, environmental advocate Babacar Thiaw has transformed community concerns about plastic pollution into a national movement, starting with a ban on plastic straws. Such initiatives, often underreported, could benefit from the panel’s scientific guidance, creating scalable models for SDG 12 progress.

The panel’s potential partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores a trend toward integrating health and environmental policy, addressing the millions of deaths linked to chemical exposure. By prioritising vulnerable regions and inclusive representation, the ISP-CWP aims to bridge the gap between global commitments and local realities.

The ISP-CWP represents a critical opportunity to advance SDG 12 by fostering sustainable chemical and waste management practices. Its success, however, depends on overcoming geopolitical divisions, securing adequate funding, and ensuring that developing nations have access to its scientific resources. As the panel prepares for its first meeting in Geneva, the international community watches closely, hopeful that it will deliver the evidence-based solutions needed to combat one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.