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.

Related EPIs

Chemicals in products
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
Hazardous chemicals in electronics
Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Lead in paint
Nanotechnology
Perfluorinated Chemicals
Pharmaceutical pollutants

Related people

Lynn Wagner
Lynn M. Wagner is the Senior Director of the SDG Knowledge program at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). In this role, she oversees projects that seek to increase the accountability of decision making for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enhance engagement in SDG implementation, develop SDG indicator and reporting tools, and support SDG implementation. Wagner began working with IISD in 1994 as a writer for the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, and she continues to observe and analyze multilateral environmental negotiations with IISD’s flagship publication. She also served as the Senior Manager of IISD Reporting Services’ Knowledge Management Projects from
Nalini Sharma
I lead the SAICM Secretariat to advance on the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020.Prior to that I have led the Special Programme, which is a financial mechanism to support institutional strengthening at the national level for the chemicals and waste cluster, including SAICM.
Jonathas De Mello
Through knowledge management and human-centered use of technology, I work at SAICM for creating, sharing and managing knowledge on chemicals arisen from a diverse group of stakeholders. My objective is to find ways to turn such rich knowledge into better policies and action towards a healthier environment.

Related Topics

Gender mainstreaming
Knowledge Management
Policymaking
view all topics

Articles of interest

15 resources found

Community of practice summary of discussions

Capacity building – tools that are used

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SAICM
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July 2022
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.Presenters: Olivier Wootton (UNITAR), Dr. Olga
Topics: Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Management
Community of practice summary of discussions

The Link between Climate Change and Chemical Accidents

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SAICM
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April 2022
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
Topics: Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Management
Community of practice summary of discussions

Community of Practice on Chemicals and SDGs - 2021 Digest Compliation

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UNEP
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February 2022
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 compilation of summaries of the discussions, which took place in 2021.
Topics: Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Management
Community of practice summary of discussions

Innovation for achieving the Chemical related SDGs

October 2021
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.Presenters: Dr. Claudio Cinquemani (ISC3), Dr
Topics: Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Management