The world needs an intergovernmental panel on chemicals and waste management
Organisations worldwide support independent, well-funded, global coordination of science advice, policy options and life-saving action.
Chemical pollution is an urgent, critical issue for humanity, on equal footing with biodiversity loss and climate change. The RSC and many other organisations around the world support the creation of a UN intergovernmental panel on chemicals and waste management. An independent, well-funded panel enable science-informed, multidisciplinary, global coordination and action on chemicals pollution, protecting our planet and saving millions of lives.
In 2022, we are working with global partners to participate in the UN processes to make this a reality, keeping this vital issue on the agenda at every step. We urge the United Nations in 2022 to take this decisive action, supported by governments, industries, and chemical science organisations around the world.
How can you help?
Sign our declaration on behalf of your organisation
Dozens of organisations have added their support to our Declaration to the UN: A New Global Science Panel for Chemical Pollution, calling for the creation of an independent, well-funded intergovernmental panel on a par with the IPCC and IPBES.
Download our Declaration to the UN: a New Global Science Panel for Chemical Pollution
We鈥檙e calling for as much support as possible 鈥� if you can arrange for your organisation to add their weight to our call, please contact us below.
Contact our policy team
Get in touch with any enquiries about science and higher education policy
Sign the IPCP campaign
The (IPCP) share our policy position on a new intergovernmental panel and have published this , alongside a sign-on campaign page to express support for this position. We encourage everyone to add their own name to the IPCP campaign.
Our campaign in action
The Burlington Consensus 鈥� science and policy's call for a global panel on chemicals, waste and pollution
On 26 January 2022 we co-hosted with an international panel discussion on the need for an intergovernmental panel on chemicals and waste management. Participants from around the world and a wide range of sectors were in firm agreement that the UN should convene such a panel, confirming the broad and strong support for a draft resolution to the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) submitted by Costa Rica, Ghana, Mali, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Uruguay.
You can find highlights from the event along with the full event below.