Punta del Este, Uruguay - Today governments agreed to the adoption of an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (a science-to-policy panel or SPP) to address toxic threats from hazardous chemicals and waste. There are expectations that this Panel will enhance action to address threats from hazardous chemicals and waste. However, the lack of inclusion of civil society in all aspects of the Panel's work, a democratic function needed to ensure transparency, and the postponement of the adoption of a policy to protect the Panel’s work from influence by corporate polluters could lead to distrust in the Panel’s work and are a major cause for concern.
In addition, governments failed to agree on the intent of the panel, leaving open the nature of the panel’s basic purpose and activities. Despite a UNEA mandate stating, “...that the sound management of chemicals and waste is crucial for the protection of human health and the environment,” countries assembled could not agree that protection of health and the environment would be included in the panel’s purpose.
“Increased visibility, awareness and action on toxic chemicals and waste is urgently needed. However, having a science panel intended to equip environmental policy makers without a mission to protect the environment and health is like establishing a panel on pediatrics that can’t consider children,” said Sara Brosché, PhD, an IPEN Science Advisor. “In addition, not ensuring transparency will threaten the credibility of the Panel. It’s a shame that a few countries were able to obstruct a more ambitious and inclusive foundation of the Panel and unfortunately, as consensus will remain for decision-making, we can expect more of this kind of underhanded manipulation of the process going forward.”
