New understanding about the mounting risks to health and ecosystem degradation, and positive contributions to health from ecosystems services mandates a fresh approach on health and environment linkages. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Pollution, Health and Environment Unit to address the important issues and linkages between Environment and Health within the organization and with partner organizations and stakeholders.
A call for action Towards a Pollution-Free Planet
At the third session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA3), Ministers of the Environment expressed their commitment to working towards a pollution-free planet for the health and well-being of our people and the environment (UNEA3 ministerial declaration). As a follow-up, UNEP developed an "Implementation Plan "Towards a Pollution-Free Planet" which was welcome by the Environment Assembly at its fourth session in March 2019 through resolution 4/21.
The Plan takes forward pollution-related UNEA outcomes; proposes action areas with opportunities and solutions to address capacity gaps and challenges; and contributes to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNEP is undertaking efforts towards implementation of the Plan by coordinating and monitoring its delivery with inputs from Member States and other stakeholders, and by undertaking efforts within its own programme of work. To know more about the Implementation Plan, visit the BeatPollution website.
UNEA3 also adopted a resolution on Environment and Health calling for collaborative action on integrated environment and health methodologies, tools and policies, and on specific nexus areas such as chemicals and waste, climate, biodiversity, antimicrobial resistance and sustainable consumption and production.
For more resources on pollution visit World Environment Situation Room (WESR)/Pollution.
