A Global response to Pollution

To fight the pervasive impact of pollution on society, the world’s ministers of environment, gathered at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2017, expressed their political commitment to working towards a pollution-free planet. Governments also adopted resolutions targeting specific aspects of pollution: air quality, water pollution, soil pollution, marine litter and microplastics, and chemicals and waste. An Implementation Plan was devised, cutting across all these resolutions, to promote accelerated action, enhance capacities to address pollution and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Environment Assembly has welcomed the Plan and recognized it as the key vehicle for prompt implementation. It has encouraged all Member States and relevant stakeholders to contribute to its effective implementation.

UNEP’s Background Report and its report to UNEA3 provide a global picture of pollution, including information on pollution sources, impacts and solutions. The World Environment Situation Room provides access to multiple data and resources on pollution and other environmental topics. Learn more about the work of the Pollution and Health Unit here.

UNEA 6 Resolution relating to Pollution, Health and Environment

Forms of Pollution

Symbol

Title

Air

    
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.10

Promoting regional cooperation on air pollution to improve air quality globally

Land & Soil

    
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.7

Combating sand and dust storms
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.14

Strengthening international efforts to combat desertification and land degradation, restore degraded land, promote land conservation and sustainable land management, contribute to land degradation neutrality and enhance drought resilience [English only]

Freshwater

    
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.13

Effective and inclusive solutions for strengthening water policies to achieve sustainable development in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution [English only]

Marine and Coastal

    
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.15 

Strengthening ocean efforts to tackle climate change, marine biodiversity loss and pollution [English only]
     

Chemicals & waste

    
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.9 

Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.11 

Highly hazardous pesticides

Cross-cutting

    
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.3

Enhancing the role and viability of regional forums of environment ministers and United Nations Environment Programme regional offices in achieving multilateral cooperation in tackling environmental challenges
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.4 

Promoting synergies, cooperation or collaboration for national implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and other relevant environmental instruments
 

UNEP/EA.6/Res.5

Environmental aspects of minerals and metals

Pollution related UNEA resolutions

Air

Air pollution, which kills more than 7 million people every year, is the biggest environmental health risk of our time.

Explore the different forms of pollution and related UNEA resolutions.
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Chemical & Waste

Humans use over 100,000 different chemical elements and compounds. If not managed properly, chemicals can have severe impacts on human health.

Explore the different forms of pollution and related UNEA resolutions.
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Freshwater

Freshwater pollution originates from many sources. Around the world, some 2 billion tonnes of human waste are disposed of in water courses every day.

Explore the different forms of pollution and related UNEA resolutions.
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Land & Soil

Healthy soils play a significant role in our ecosystem. Land and soil pollution dramatically disrupt this delicate balance, with far-reaching consequences on human and ecosystem survival.

Explore the different forms of pollution and related UNEA resolutions.
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Marine & Coastal

Human activities on land are the biggest sources of marine pollution—an estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the world’s oceans each year.

Explore the different forms of pollution and related UNEA resolutions.
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Cross Cutting

Air pollution, which kills more than 7 million people every year, is the biggest environmental health risk of our time.

Explore the different forms of pollution and related UNEA resolutions.
Click on each topic to find out more

SDGs related to Pollution

Cleaner environments improve worker health and productivity and increase the number of days worked.

Better soil quality and uncontaminated land will reap higher quality harvests and help protect humanity’s food sources.

Action on pollution substantially reduces the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

A clean environment enables high-quality education, and education enables acquisition of the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development and lifestyles.

Pollution reduction can promote gender equality, for example through reduced burden of fetching clean water, cleaner indoor air quality and better health.

Addressing the contamination of water sources will help provide clean water and sanitation for all.

The development and dissemination of affordable, clean and efficient sources of energy and transport are key to cleaning the air.

Improved worker health and well-being and toxin-free workspaces lead to increased productivity and economic growth.

Pollution avoidance through the adoption of green technologies and ecosystem-based solutons fosters innovation and sustainability in the industry and infrastructure sectors.

Pollution governance and actions can ensure that no group or community bears a disproportionate share of the harmful effects of pollution.

Sustainable transport, waste management, buildings and industry lead to cleaner air in cities.

Proper management and disposal of chemicals and waste, and reduced food losses contribute to sustainable consumption and production practices.

Clean energy and low-carbon policies reduce air pollution and mitigate the impact of climate change.

Plastic and chemical pollution is causing great harm to all marine life and threatens life below water.

Thriving ecosystems require clean land and water sources. Tackling pollution is essential to protecting life on land.

Good Pollution-related governance reduces environmental burdens and injustices and can enhance the availability of 'saved' resources for the undeserved.

Global partnerships to address pollution can have positive impacts on health, jobs, worker productivity the environment and well-being.

Learn more about the links with SDGs

Beat Pollution aims to build and nurture a larger narrative on a pollution-free planet that weaves interrelated aspects of climate and nature and connects different forms of pollution to the larger issue of pollution and waste. The goal is to optimize human health and environmental outcomes through enhanced capacity and leadership in the sound management of chemicals and waste and increasing circular processes.

© UNEP

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