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The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have launched a Community of Practice (CoP) on Chemicals and SDGs to bring representatives from different sectors together and to create a learning network around issues related to addressing Chemicals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is a summary of the discussion on The Link between Climate Change and Chemical Accidents, which took place on 20 April 2022.Presenters: Marie-Ange Baucher (OECD), Dr

This document summarizes information from the Lead Paint Reformulation Technical Guidelines, the findings and recommendations of the reformulation pilot demonstrations, and two case studies of paint manufacturers which have reformulated paint products. This summary is also intended to highlight how the information from the Guidelines can be used by different stakeholders involved in the phasing out of lead paint.The full set of technical guidelines can be accessed here.The guidelines were made possible under a global project funded by the Global

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

Sri Lanka, like other countries around the world, is facing an immense challenge, to create sustainable buildings for the future. Buildings are the major source of demand for energy and construction materials which produce a significant amount of by-product greenhouse gases. Studies show that the building sector accounts for over 40 percent of the world’s energy requirements and that a large percentage of the present energy consumption and carbon dioxide generation could be saved by applying certification standards such as

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

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

This compendium provides a systematic compilation of published guidance from WHO and other UN organizations on health and environment. Guidance on policies and actions as well as awareness raising and capacity building interventions is presented for all major areas of health and environment. Guidance referring to priority settings for action such as cities and other urban settlements, housing, workplaces and health care facilities is also listed.For greater practical relevance, each guidance is classified according to principally involved sectors, level of

Residues of pharmaceuticals are known to occur widely in the aquatic environment of industrialized countries. Even in developing and emerging countries, information on the occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in the environment has become more readily available in recent years. However, a concise and comprehensive overview of the relevant pharmaceuticals, their concentrations in the environment and their potential effects on human health and ecosystems is still pending. The information on worldwide exposure of pharmaceuticals is increasing and the German Environment Agency