The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs were adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in September 2015. The SDGs aim to meet the dual challenge of overcoming poverty and protecting the planet. They highlight a comprehensive vision of sustainable development that embraces economic, social and environmental dimension.
The goal of this community of practice is to facilitate discussions with various stakeholders from different sectors on documents and other knowledge materials being developed around the linkages between chemical management and the achievement of the sustainable development goals, including gender (learn more about SDGs here).
Another key goal is how to bring in and engage with the youth in relation to chemicals and the sustainable development goals.
Past sessions
Online discussion: Innovation for achieving the Chemical related SDGs
Download the community of practice summary of discussions
Colin is passionate about the power of green and sustainable chemistry to contribute to a healthier environment. He has studied chemical engineering and a masters in sustainable chemistry. After working as an industry and academic researcher in the field of sustainable energy and energy storage technologies, Colin has recently joined UNEP as a consultant to support their work on green and sustainable chemistry. Colin hopes that his work will result in the uptake of green and sustainable chemistry practices throughout society to promote sound chemical management and a cleaner and safer world for all.
I am a consultant, supporting UNEP on topics related to the use of chemicals in various products and the potential impact these can have on human health and the environment.
I have been working on chemicals such as BPA, triclosan, Phthalates, POPs. We are doing primary and secondary research work and through our findings we are approaching government to bring the policy change. We are also involved in capacity building of stakeholders to educate them on the issue and take appropriate action.
I am currently working as a research assistant in the Environmental Health Division in UCT's School of Public Health and Family Medicine. I work on a number of projects that aim at capacity building and knowledge management of sound chemical management, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. My main speciality within public health is environmental health and so our work focuses on improving health through addressing environmental exposures that may negatively impact the health of the communities we work with.
During my carrier I have worked with Materials Global Regulatory Compliance (Europe, USA, Latin America, India, China etc), food and water contact materials, safe drinking water, eco design, design for environment etc. Since 3 years ago, I decided to work as Consultant and Educator and one of my key areas is Safe and Healthy Materials. Secondly I work with Circular Economy, Circular Design, Sustainability and SDGs.
Since 2018, I am working on the integration of gender equality in the sound management of chemicals and waste for the MSP Institute. I was involved in different networks on gender and sustainability as well as gender and climate change before.I believe without gender justice, the implementation of the global sustainability goals is not possible. Gender Mainstreaming helps to uncover the causes of problems, find alternative solutions and counteract injustices.This also applies to the sustainable use of chemicals and the goal of a healthy planet. There is a number of gender aspects relevant to chemicals and chemicals and waste management