Thanks to the leadership of Germany, the hard work of negotiators, and the spirit of compromise, the world has agreed to the Global Framework on Chemicals – backed by a High-Level Declaration that provides political impetus to drive the deal’s implementation.
This framework provides a vision for a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste, for a safe, healthy and sustainable future – and is an important part of the wider tapestry of agreements, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the global treaty on plastic pollution under negotiation.
The framework is based around 28 targets that aim to improve the sound management of chemicals and waste. Governments have committed to creating, by 2030, the regulatory environment to reduce chemical pollution and implement policies to promote safer alternatives. Industry has committed to managing chemicals in a way that reduces chemical pollution and adverse impacts by 2030. The framework calls for, by 2035, a phase out of highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture where the risks have not been managed and safer alternatives are available. There is a target on strengthening links between the new instrument and the climate, biodiversity, human rights and health agendas.
Crucially, an integrated approach to financing was agreed, with private sector financing lining up with the targets of the agreement. A dedicated trust fund will be set up and managed by the United Nations Environment Programme. Into this fund, governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and foundations can add to an initial EUR 20 million pledged by Germany.
This is all progress.
I call on all parties to start acting immediately. The World Health Organization tells us that direct chemical pollution of the air, land, water and workplace is causing two million deaths per year. Ecosystems and species are withering and dying. Chemicals and waste pollution are at the heart of injustice and inequity.
As any athlete will tell you, beating a target is better than meeting a target, so I call on governments, the chemicals industry and everyone involved to go above and beyond what has been agreed to protect people and the planet upon which we all depend. Slow implementation will come back to haunt us in the shape of more deaths, more assaults on nature and more economic losses.
Informed by the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, governments can develop new policies and incentives that will help the chemicals industry and other sectors adapt their business practices. This includes efforts to phase out highly hazardous pesticides earlier than 2035.
Chemicals companies can get creative and start investing now to replace hazardous chemicals with people- and nature-friendly alternatives. The chemicals industry must become green and sustainable. The industry must be the change, or be left behind – because, informed by science and data, governments and citizens will demand a toxic-free future. I call on the chemicals sector to be part of designing the future – a move that will be good for shareholder value, for investors, for brands and for the pride of companies’ workers.
Wealthy nations, development banks, philanthropists, investors and, yes, the chemicals industry, can innovate on financing solutions that support developing nations to protect their people, natural assets and economies.
Everyone on this planet should be able to live and work without fear of falling sick or dying from chemical exposure. Nature, free from pollution, should be able to thrive and support humanity for millennia to come. I call on all involved in the framework to accelerate action and ambition and achieve the vision of a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste.
