The sound management of chemicals and waste is an important component to achieve sustainable, inclusive, and resilient human development as defined in the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) will end in 2020, and currently an Intersessional Process is taking place to define the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020. One key topic for discussion is whether the science-policy interface (SPI) within the chemicals and waste cluster should be strengthened, e.g., by establishing an intergovernmental mechanism. Over the past year, the IPCP has been working to help support and further these discussions to ensure that the work of academic scientists is represented and considered in future policy discussions.
Most recently, the IPCP completed a Mapping and Gap Analysis report that reviews existing SPI bodies, identifies major existing gaps, and explores options for strengthening the SPI. On November 15–16, 2018, the IPCP also organized a multi-stakeholder workshop at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland to promote discussion on the topic with experts from intergovernmental organizations, national and regional governments, and international non-governmental organizations representing academia, the chemical industry and civil society. A summary from the workshop has now been published in an Outcome Document.
More information on these and other related efforts the IPCP has undertaken are available on the project page.