Sustainable Development Goals
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (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 dimensions.
Sound management of chemicals and waste is a specific target under SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production. Chemicals, waste and air quality are also referred to under SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being, SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG14 on Life Below Water.
Given that chemicals and waste affects all aspects of development, the sound management of chemicals and waste is relevant and support the implementation of many other, if not all SDGs.
SAICM and SDG 12: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns
The global chemical sector is a major economic factor, and a key enabler for achieving sustainable development. Chemicals and waste in the context of SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns is about ensuring healthy lives and a healthy planet well into the future.
Sustainable Consumption and Production requires a systematic approach throughout the life cycle of chemicals and cooperation across actors and sectors throughout the supply chain, from producers to final consumers. Target 12.4 in particular is set for achievement by 2020, which is aligned with the overall SAICM objective.
- Community of practice summary of discussions
Capacity building – tools that are used
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 Capacity building – tools that are used, which took place on 6 July 2022.
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The Link between Climate Change and Chemical Accidents
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.
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Community of Practice on Chemicals and SDGs - 2021 Digest Compliation
The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have launched a Community...
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Innovation for achieving the Chemical related SDGs
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 Innovation for achieving the Chemical related SDGs, which took place on 26 October 2021.
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Climate Change and Chemicals: Connections and Consequences
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 Climate Change and Chemicals: Connections and Consequences, which took place on 22 September 2021.
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Promoting youth engagement with different stakeholders in chemicals and waste
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 Promoting youth engagement with different stakeholders in chemicals and waste, which took place on 26 May 2021.
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Chemicals and Biodiversity
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 Chemicals and Biodiversity, which took place on 28 April 2021.
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Community of Practice on Chemicals and SDGs - 2020 Digest Compliation
The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have launched a Community...
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Commitment platforms and the global agenda for chemicals and waste management
Problem statementOne of functions of the of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is to call for appropriate action...
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Chemicals of Concern for the Health Sector
This document includes a list of chemicals of concern to human health and the environment. The list is based on systematic evidence reviews from authoritative sources, which identify chemical and material hazards of concern that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, endocrine disrupting and reproductive hazards (health hazards) and bio- accumulative and persistent to the environment and/or listed in International Environmental instruments (Conventions).
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Case studies on the implementation of the WHO Chemicals Road Map
The World Health Organization is publishing a series of national case studies on the implementation of the WHO Chemicals Road map, which was adopted in World Health Assembly Decision 70(23).
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Accelerating the implementation of SDG 12.4
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 Accelerating the implementation of SDG 12.4, which took place on 25 November 2020.
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Brainstorming implementation of gender mainstreaming into national policies for the sound management of chemicals and waste
The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have launched a Community...
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biodiversity in danger from poor management of chemicals and waste
World Environment Day took place on 5 June 2020 and the theme this year was biodiversity. SAICM celebrated by creating an infographic on how...
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Safer use of chemicals can help protect biodiversity
From the smallest parasitic bacterium living in the bladder of a primate to the blue whale - biodiversity refers to the vast variety of life on...
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Chemicals and waste management: essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In adopting the 17 Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, world leaders outlined a transformational course of action for the people, planet, and prosperity. Chemicals and waste management are related to achieving every aspect of this Agenda.
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WHO Chemicals Road Map
On May 30, 2017, the Seventieth World Health Assembly approved the Road map to enhance health sector engagement in the strategic approach to international chemicals management towards the 2020 goal and beyond. The road map identifies concrete actions where the health sector has either a lead or important supporting role to play in the sound management of chemicals, recognizing the need for multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder cooperation. These actions are organised into four areas: risk reduction; knowledge and evidence; institutional capacity; and, leadership and coordination.
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