Nations come together to establish new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution

Punta del Este — In a landmark decision, countries from around the world have officially agreed to establish a new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel dedicated to chemicals, waste, and pollution. The decision was finalized during a high-level intergovernmental meeting held on 19–20 June in Punta del Este, Uruguay, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The new panel is expected to serve as a vital global mechanism to bridge the gap between science and policymaking, especially in the face of rising environmental threats. With its formal establishment, the panel joins the ranks of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), completing a triad of global scientific bodies addressing the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Talks to form the panel began in 2022, following a resolution adopted at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), which called for a dedicated science-policy interface to support sound chemicals and waste management and pollution prevention.

The panel will have several core functions: conducting global assessments, identifying knowledge gaps, improving science communication for policy use, and enhancing national decision-making capacities. It will also be responsible for “horizon scanning” to detect emerging environmental threats and guide timely action.

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen called the decision historic, stating, “This panel represents science and cooperation coming together to minimize the negative impacts of chemicals and waste and prevent pollution. This is the first step in delivering meaningful action to address our global waste and pollution crisis and secure a healthier, safer future for all.”

The urgency of such a mechanism is backed by sobering statistics. Municipal solid waste generation is forecast to grow from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. Air pollution continues to claim 6.5 million lives annually, while deaths from modern forms of pollution have surged by 66% in the past two decades. In 2020 alone, the direct global cost of waste management was estimated at USD 252 billion.

The panel aims to provide particularly crucial support to developing nations by offering tools and knowledge tailored to their specific contexts, allowing them to implement effective and informed solutions.

The groundwork for this agreement was laid by a dedicated working group that resumed discussions in 2024 to resolve pending issues. This week’s intergovernmental meeting cemented the outcome.

As a next step, preparations are underway for the panel’s first plenary session, where countries will finalize the initial work programme, determine priorities, and shape the framework for future collaboration. Hosted by UNEP, the panel is expected to become operational in the coming months.