International Panel on Chemical Pollution (IPCP)

Are you going to the SETAC meeting in Vienna 11 – 15 May 2025? We invite you to submit abstracts to our session titled "Scientific Input to the New Global Science-Policy Panel," which focuses on the critical role of science in managing global chemical pollution. As one of the top three global threats to humanity, alongside biodiversity loss and climate change, the effective management of chemicals is essential for a sustainable future. This session seeks to highlight recent research, challenges, and advances in methodologies relevant to the work of the new Science-Policy Panel established by UNEA. Contributions from a wide range of disciplines and regions are strongly encouraged to ensure diverse perspectives. Join us in fostering a collaborative dialogue to support evidence-based policy solutions for global chemical management. The deadline is 20 november. https://lnkd.in/dxYBkZkU

Are you going to the SETAC meeting in Vienna 11 – 15 May 2025? We invite you to submit abstracts to our session titled "Scientific Input to the New Global Science-Policy Panel," which focuses on the critical role of science in managing global chemical pollution. As one of the top three global threats to humanity, alongside biodiversity loss and climate change, the effective management of chemicals is essential for a sustainable future. This session seeks to highlight recent research, challenges, and advances in methodologies relevant to the work of the new Science-Policy Panel established by UNEA. Contributions from a wide range of disciplines and regions are strongly encouraged to ensure diverse perspectives. Join us in fostering a collaborative dialogue to support evidence-based policy solutions for global chemical management. The deadline is 20 november. https://lnkd.in/dxYBkZkU

It has been a busy year! Here is an update from us. IPCP Board Members at OEWG-3 Over 550 delegates from 124 member states gathered at OEWG-3 in Geneva on June 17, 2024, with hopes of establishing a new science-policy panel (SPP) on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention. By June 21, tensions arose due to geopolitical conflicts, with some countries delaying progress to protect their economic interests. Meanwhile, low-income nations urged for immediate action, as pollution was causing real harm. A compromise was finally reached at 10:50 pm, preventing the collapse of the SPP. Delegates agreed to deliberate draft documents at a resumed session (OEWG-3.2) before formally establishing the SPP. Five IPCP board members attended, contributing policy briefs and discussions. IPCP will continue to advocate for independent science at OEWG-3.2 and the first SPP meeting. SETAC Europe The IPCP was active at the 34th SETAC Europe meeting in Seville, where board member Marlene Ågerstrand gave a plenary speech on science-policy interactions. IPCP members chaired sessions and presented on topics such as the need for conflict-free science in global chemical management. IPCP also hosted a forum discussion and informal gathering. Also, our proposal for a session at the 2025 SETAC Europe meeting in Vienna has been accepted. Yay! Recent IPCP Publications IPCP published a paper on the SPP’s role in providing solutions-oriented assessments. The paper emphasizes the need for both prospective and retrospective analyses to address chemical and waste issues. It highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and strong evidence to guide policy. https://lnkd.in/dYnBah3w Invitation to IPCP Working Group IPCP invites members to suggest topics and participate in future working groups. Interested members should reach out to IPCP. General Assembly 2024 We hope to see you there!

Society is tackling many challenges, but a lack of excellent researchers isn't one of them! Here's an update from our talented board member Michael Bertram on the state of the world's water bodies. "- The world's ecosystems are increasingly contaminated by drugs and pharmaceuticals from both humans, livestock and animals, says Michael Bertram, Assistant Professor at the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies at the SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences." Read more here (in Swedish): https://lnkd.in/dKXc2wMw

And while you are on the topic, read this editorial by Gunilla Öberg and Martin Scheringer: “Everyone has interests”: A red herring https://lnkd.in/dsgrjXuX

Where does your information and data come from? What are the motivations of the source? Are their conflicts of interest? Greenwash from industry and their marketing departments is not just annoying, it is creating significantly flawed data and real confusion. Conflicts of interest erode progress on reducing pollution and mitigating climate change. Trust independent science for quality data and guidance to protect human and planetary health. Take the time to read this. Trust the independent scientists.

Looking for something to read during the summer break? We recommend our paper "Conflicts of interest in the assessment of chemicals, waste and pollution". In the paper we define and review the implications of COI, and its relevance for the management of chemicals, waste, and pollution. We also summarize established tactics to manufacture doubt in favor of vested interests, i.e., to counter scientific evidence and/or to promote misleading narratives favorable to financial interests. We further rebut an assertion voiced by some that the chemical industry should be directly involved in the new global Science-Policy panel’s work because it possesses data on chemicals essential for the panel’s activities. Finally, we present steps that should be taken to prevent the detrimental impacts of COI in the work of the panel. In particular, we propose to include an independent auditor’s role in the panel to ensure that participation and processes follow clear COI rules. Among others, the auditor should evaluate the content of the assessments produced to ensure unbiased representation of information that underpins the panel’s activities.

Our final briefing from #OEWG3 is out. This is not the end we had hoped for, but we will continue to work for a strong global science policy body that contributes to protecting human health and the environment. https://lnkd.in/dXAvNgxJ

Policy brief: Leveraging solution-oriented assessments for the Science-Policy Panel These are our recommendations 1. The Science Policy Panel could consider solution-oriented assessments (SOAs) as a means to include analyses of possible solutions to chemicals-related problems. Typically, such problems are “wicked problems”, which means that they have no single solution, but require a variety of societal responses. 2. SOAs could include multiple solution pathways that also analyze regionally-attuned and realistic options for implementation. 3. Analyses of solution pathways could include targets that could be met along the various pathways presented. 4. SOAs must consider multiple sectors in order to achieve “buyin” and cooperation while ensuring that the solutions explored maximize human and ecosystem health protection and prevention. 5. Inputs to SOAs should come from multi- and interdisciplinary science and Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge to develop a range of options informed by lived experiences. For detailed background information, please refer to our working document: Schäfer, M. (2024) Solution-­oriented assessment: A literature review and conclusions for the SPP on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention. https://lnkd.in/dGUWJ59D The policy brief can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dRkFxp6M

Policy brief: Exploring outputs of the SPP on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention. The Science Policy Panel should conduct both retrospective and prospective assessments that are integrative and comprehensive, holistically consider root causes, barriers and enabling elements, intended and unintended consequences, and that build on previous “lessons learned” to develop policy-relevant, solutions-oriented assessments. The assessments can integrate knowledge and experiences from other science-policy interfaces such as the IPCC and IPBES to broadly, but pragmatically explore issues and their solution-space. Finally, the Science Policy Panel assessments should be flexible in scope and depth, ranging from specific issues contained within a specific geography to more expansive and encompassing assessments. We offer two examples of the types of integrative solutions-oriented assessments to spark conversations on what the Science Policy Panel’s assessments might consider. The first example is retrospective, concerning pollution from pharmaceuticals that threatens biodiversity, ecosystem services and public health globally, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The second is prospective by considering potential releases of chemicals and waste from technological infrastructure (e.g., hospitals, transportation hubs) and landfills located in coastal zones threatened by climate-induced sea level rise and extreme weather events. For detailed background information, please refer to our publication: Diamond et al. 2024. Exploring outputs of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on chemicals, waste and pollution prevention. Environmental Science & Technology Letters.  https://lnkd.in/dGTMG_Q4 You can find the policy brief here: https://lnkd.in/dzkPgsKz