Chemicals and Waste Issues of Concern: A Summary Analysis of Stakeholders’ Views

United Nations 2 years ago

Chemicals and Waste Issues of Concern: A Summary Analysis of Stakeholders’ Views on Priorities for Further Work and Potential Further International Action In 2020, UNEP published an Assessment Report on 19 chemicals and waste issues of concern which pose risks to human health and the environment. The Report concluded that urgent international concerted action is needed for sound management of chemicals. This report, which was requested by UNEA Resolution 5/7, offers a summary analysis of views from Member States and other stakeholders on priorities for further work, including potential further international action on each of the 19 issues of concern. The present report outlines in Chapter 2 an analysis of views on general considerations expressed by Member States and other stakeholders on the issues of concern. Chapter 3 provides an overview of suggested concrete actions for the issues of concern, also considering sectoral approaches. Finally, Chapter 4 explores possible next steps, considering the global policy context. More information
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layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 12 hours ago



The strongest signal for sustainable construction is a shift from broad claims of sustainability towards measurable whole life carbon, circular economy delivery and climate resilience. In the UK schools estate, offsite construction is being positioned as a practical route to low carbon design, with standardised components, controlled factory production and buildings designed for disassembly reducing embodied carbon and supporting end-of-life reuse in construction. For public-sector clients under pressure to deliver quickly, whole life carbon assessment, lifecycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis are becoming central to procurement, sustainable building design and building lifecycle performance.

Circular economy in construction is gaining momentum through plans for a wind-turbine recycling facility in the Scottish Highlands. The project reflects a maturing renewable energy supply chain and a growing requirement to address the embodied carbon in materials after first use. Decommissioned blades and composite components could become feedstock for green building products, low carbon construction materials and future green infrastructure, cutting landfill dependence and improving resource efficiency in construction.

Materials research is also moving beyond waste management towards performance-led sustainable material specification. Work converting waste plastics, including packaging and consumer goods, into polymer networks capable of harvesting water from dry air suggests new possibilities for eco-design for buildings in hotter, water-stressed regions. If developed at scale, such innovation could contribute to low-impact construction, carbon footprint reduction and the wider use of green building materials with stronger environmental product declarations (EPDs).

The main constraint is delivery capacity. Labour shortages threaten construction programmes at the same time that net zero carbon buildings, net zero whole life carbon targets and BREEAM v7 requirements demand more precise design, assembly, refurbishment and materials recovery. Environmental sustainability in construction now depends on skills, data and accountability as much as ambition. Decarbonising the built environment will require clients, regulators and contractors to treat sustainable design, circular construction strategies and low embodied carbon materials as core requirements, not optional enhancements.

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