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Accelerating the establishment of a new science-policy panel to address the triple planetary crisis

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Accelerating the establishment of a new science-policy panel to address the triple planetary crisisThe triple planetary crisisdclimate change, biodiversity loss, and pollutiondthreatens planetary health.In response to these challenges, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988, followed by the formation of the Intergovernmental ScienceePolicy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in 2012.Ongoing global initiatives through IPCC and IPBES have significantly advanced scientific understanding, raised public awareness, and informed policymaking in relation to climate change and biodiversity loss.However, pollution remains a pressing concern in all three crises.Pollution, including from chemicals and waste, poses a significant global threat, endangering human life, degrading ecosystems, and severely impacting economies.Preventing, controlling, and managing pollution is crucial for human well-being and economic prosperity; however, gaps in scientific knowledge persist.Existing multilateral agreements, such as the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions and the Minamata Convention, are increasingly inadequate to address the growing complexity of chemical and waste pollution on a global scale, as their scopes and mandates are limited to specific chemicals, geographical areas, or jurisdictions [1].The resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly decided to establish a new scienceepolicy panel to enhance the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (hereafter termed "the Panel") [2].The Panel will complement existing initiatives by focusing on the breadth and complexity of global chemical production, use, discharge, and disposal while offering policy-relevant scientific advice on relevant issues.An ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG) was convened to prepare proposals for the Panel, with the ambition of completing it by the end of 2024.However, during the third session of the OEWGdthe final scheduled meeting held in Switzerland from June 17 to 21, 2024ddelegates failed to reach a consensus on the "foundational document" outlining the basic structure of the Panel.This failure is expected to delay the Panel's establishment significantly.A large number of unresolved issues remain, particularly concerning the scope, functions, operating principles, conflicts of

Source: Environmental Science and Ecotechnology

DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2024.100498