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The natural environment together with our economy, health and productivity are immensely affected by the performance of the built environment. According to the Global Status Report 2020, CO2 emissions from the operation of buildings have increased to their highest level yet at around 28% of total global energy-related CO2 emissions. With the inclusion of emissions from the buildings construction industry, this share increases to 38% of total global energy-related CO2 emissions while the total final energy consumption of the global

This is the summary of the UNEP report on Chemicals of Concern in the Building and Construction Sector.The report aims at providing an overview of the challenge that chemicals of concern pose in the context of products relevant for the building and construction sector. It outlines the relevance and linkages of chemicals of concern with regards to a building life cycle and highlights existing gaps, challenges and opportunities regarding the imperative of increasing circularity in the building and construction sector.The

Despite the fact that pharmaceuticals are indispensable for human and animal health, they may cause undesired adverse effects. Specifically, environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants (EPPPs) are slowly degradable or nondegradable, presenting a special risk when they enter, persist or disseminate in the environment. Colombia’s Resolution 371, addressing EPPPs, was awarded for regulating waste management from hazardous products.The World Future Council focuses on identifying, developing, highlighting and spreading effective, future-just solutions for current challenges humanity is facing and promote their implementation worldwide

Although chemicals are important components in many products, they may be released at any stage of the product life cycle, resulting in potential exposures of humans and the environment. The second 2021 Gold Awardee addressing Chemicals in Products is Sweden, Region Stockholm: Phase-Out Lists for Chemicals Hazardous to the Environment and Human Health (2012-2016, revised for 2017-2021).The World Future Council focuses on identifying, developing, highlighting and spreading effective, future-just solutions for current challenges humanity is facing and promote their implementation

The Special Award Highly Hazardous Pesticides is one of the most ambitious and impactful solutions that minimizes the adverse effects of pesticides, which cause disproportionate harm to the environment and human health. Pesticides can cause severe environmental hazards, high acute, chronic toxicity and are also a very common suicide agent. Particularly, in Sri Lanka, two thirds of suicides were due to self-poisoning with pesticides. The Special Award Highly Hazardous Pesticides was awarded to Sri Lanka’s Control of Pesticides Act No

Lead is a cumulative toxic element particularly harmful to young children and pregnant women. Lead can be present at high levels in paint and is a major health concern specially in low and middle income countries. Philippines legislation towards lead-safe paint has provided safer alternatives to protect human health and the environment, actively involving all stakeholders. The Special Award Lead in Paint was awarded to Philippines’ Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds (CCO, 2013-24).The World Future Council focuses

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals is a non-binding internationally agreed-upon system managed by the UN which defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products. Kyrgyzstan’s Resolution No. 43 on Approval of the Chemical Hazard Classification System and Hazard Information Requirements (2015) has legally bound GHS.The World Future Council focuses on identifying, developing, highlighting and spreading effective, future-just solutions for current challenges humanity is facing and promote their implementation worldwide. The Future Policy Award 2021 highlights exemplary

This document has been developed as part of a project to accelerate progress towards the establishment of legally binding controls on the manufacture, sale, distribution, import and use of lead paint in countries, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by the Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). It is a contribution to the work of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (the Lead Paint Alliance). The Lead Paint Alliance is a voluntary