We need a global science-policy body on chemicals and waste

Major gaps in current efforts limit policy responses Many countries and regional political unions have regulatory and policy frameworks for managing chemicals and waste associated with human activities to minimize harms to human health and the environment. These frameworks are complemented and expan...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2021-02, Vol.371 (6531), p.774-776
Main Authors: Wang, Zhanyun, Altenburger, Rolf, Backhaus, Thomas, Covaci, Adrian, Diamond, Miriam L, Grimalt, Joan O, Lohmann, Rainer, Schäffer, Andreas, Scheringer, Martin, Selin, Henrik, Soehl, Anna, Suzuki, Noriyuki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological Sciences
Biologiska vetenskaper
Biota
Chemicals
Environment
Environmental Policy
Environmental Pollution - prevention & control
Environmental Sciences
Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
Hazardous Substances
Human wastes
International Cooperation
International trade
Life cycles
Miljö- och naturvårdsvetenskap
Miljövetenskap
Policy Making
Pollutants
Pollution dispersion
Progress Monitoring
Public Policy
Waste Management
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Summary:Major gaps in current efforts limit policy responses Many countries and regional political unions have regulatory and policy frameworks for managing chemicals and waste associated with human activities to minimize harms to human health and the environment. These frameworks are complemented and expanded by joint international action, particularly related to pollutants that undergo long-range transport via air, water, and biota; move across national borders through international trade of resources, products, and waste; or are present in many countries ( 1 ). Some progress has been made, but the Global Chemicals Outlook (GCO-II) from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) ( 1 ) has called for “strengthen[ing] the science-policy interface and the use of science in monitoring progress, priority-setting, and policy-making throughout the life cycle of chemicals and waste.” With the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) soon meeting to discuss how to strengthen the science-policy interface on chemicals and waste ( 2 ), we analyze the landscape and outline recommendations for establishing an overarching body on chemicals and waste.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.abe9090