In a major breakthrough for global environmental governance, nations have formally established a new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution to provide independent, evidence-based guidance on managing some of the world’s most pressing environmental health threats.
The decision, made at an Intergovernmental Meeting convened by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) from 19–20 June 2025, marks the culmination of negotiations launched after a 2022 UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution calling for the creation of such a panel.
Filling a critical gap in global governance, the new body will support countries in crafting effective, context-specific policies by conducting global assessments, translating complex science into actionable insights, and anticipating emerging threats through “horizon scanning.” It will also help build capacity in developing nations to respond to pollution-related challenges.
“Today we made history,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director. “This panel represents science and cooperation coming together to minimize the harmful impacts of chemicals and waste and prevent pollution. It’s the first step toward meaningful global action to secure a healthier, safer future for all.”
The panel will stand alongside the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)—creating a powerful global trio of science-policy bodies tackling the triple planetary crisis: climate change, nature loss, and pollution.
Pollution and waste remain devastating global threats. Air pollution alone causes an estimated 6.5 million deaths annually, while modern forms of pollution have seen a 66% increase in mortality over the past two decades. Waste generation is expected to rise from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. Meanwhile, the cost of managing this waste hit USD 252 billion in 2020, and continues to climb.
With the agreement secured, the next step is to prepare for the panel’s first plenary session, during which member states will finalize its initial work programme, set priorities, and map out how the panel will engage with partners.
The panel will be hosted by UNEP and serve as a vital resource for national and international decision-makers—especially in developing countries—by equipping them with the scientific tools to protect public health, ecosystems, and the global commons from the toxic impacts of pollution.
“Even in turbulent times, multilateral environmental action continues to deliver,” Andersen noted. “Now, our focus shifts to making this panel fully operational—and fast.”
