The Intergovernmental Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution necessitates a broad range of contributions
The United Nations has formed a new intergovernmental panel to advise on policy around chemicals, waste, and pollution. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISPCWP) was officially established under UNEP in a landmark meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay, on June 20, 2025 [1][2]. This panel aims to provide evidence-based scientific advice to policymakers worldwide, similar to the role of the IPCC and IPBES, elevating the importance of chemicals, waste, and pollution on the global environmental agenda [2].
The formation of the ISPCWP is a significant victory due to the complexity of negotiations involved. It emerged following years of discussion starting with a UN Environment Assembly resolution in 2022, reflecting broad international consensus among 107 nations [2]. The panel’s creation coincides with major negotiations on a global plastics treaty involving 179 countries, aiming to tackle plastic pollution through legally binding measures [3][4].
The ISPCWP faces a gargantuan and complex task, given the vast diversity of chemicals, persistent substances (e.g., PFAS and plastics), and waste types, combined with their environmental and health implications [1][5]. Coordinating international action requires overcoming geopolitical, economic, and industrial resistance, particularly by nations with vested fossil fuel and plastics industries [4]. Establishing comprehensive global environmental monitoring and managing persistent pollutants in ecosystems and food chains pose scientific and logistical hurdles [1].
Recognizing and managing biases and conflicts of interest is crucial for harnessing the deep and extensive experience of industrial science [6]. Ensuring valuable voices are given appropriate attention while minimizing undue influence will be a significant challenge in the panel's work. The challenge of aligning international priorities around chemicals, waste, and pollution remains colossal.
The selection of representatives for the panel's committees is a crucial aspect that still needs to be determined. Ensuring diverse scientific input and delivering inclusive, credible advice that can effectively guide policymaking at all levels remains a critical challenge [5]. The panel's work is an essential task, given the gargantuan and complex nature of the issues it will address.
The competition for influence on the panel's outputs is natural, given the importance of its work. The Royal Society of Chemistry has campaigned for independent and objective scientific input in the new intergovernmental panel [6]. The issues handled by this panel are of global importance, comparable to climate change and biodiversity loss. Many details regarding the panel, including the selection of representatives for scientific and governance committees, are still to be finalized.
Stakeholders across various views are vying for a role in the panel's work. Representatives from countries with strong dependence on fossil resources and the petrochemical industry have shown resistance to the panel's formation. Concurrent initiatives like "The Lancet Countdown on health and plastics" have recently been launched to monitor health impacts and pollution indicators globally, strengthening the scientific foundation for ISPCWP’s work [3].
In summary, the ISPCWP is a newly formed, high-profile UN intergovernmental body established in 2025 to provide authoritative science-policy advice on chemicals, waste, and pollution. Its mission is urgent and complex, facing challenges from scientific complexities, industry pushback, and the need for global cooperation on binding measures particularly for plastics and hazardous chemicals [1][2][4][5]. The first steps towards consensus and agreement have been made in the panel's formative journey.
References: [1] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2025). Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISPCWP). Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/intergovernmental-science-policy-panel-chemicals-waste-and-pollution
[2] United Nations. (2025). New panel to tackle chemicals, waste and pollution launched. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/new-panel-to-tackle-chemicals-waste-and-pollution-launched/
[3] The Lancet. (2025). The Lancet Countdown on health and plastics: 2025 report. Retrieved from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01726-2/fulltext
[4] United Nations. (2025). Negotiations on global plastics treaty reach crucial stage. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2025/07/negotiations-on-global-plastics-treaty-reach-crucial-stage/
[5] The Royal Society of Chemistry. (2025). RSC calls for independent and objective scientific input in new intergovernmental panel. Retrieved from https://www.rsc.org/news/2025/june/rsc-calls-independent-objective-scientific-input-new-intergovernmental-panel
[6] United Nations. (2025). Recognizing and managing biases and conflicts of interest is crucial for harnessing the deep and extensive experience of industrial science. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2025/07/recognizing-and-managing-biases-and-conflicts-of-interest-is-crucial-for-harnessing-the-deep-and-extensive-experience-of-industrial-science/
- The formation of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISPCWP) under the United Nations signifies a significant step forward in addressing environmental-science concerns within the broader context of policy-and-legislation and politics.
- The ISPCWP, similar to the IPCC and IPBES, aims to deliver evidence-based scientific advice to policymakers worldwide, shedding light on the environmental and health implications of chemicals, waste, and pollution in the science domain.
- The ISPCWP's crucial responsibility involves navigating complex financial implications as it coordinates international action and overcomes resistance from fossil fuel and plastics industries within the chemical industry.
- As the ISPCWP's work unfolds, it will be essential to acknowledge and manage biases and conflicts of interest, harnessing the experience of industrial science while ensuring diverse representations across governance and scientific committe.
