One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste

TLDR

The chemical pollution crisis threatens human and environmental health worldwide, prompting calls for an overarching international science–policy body. The authors argue that immediate action must be guided by a science–policy interface that compiles, evaluates, and disseminates robust chemical‑pollution data. Such a body would address challenges of global knowledge production beyond data‑rich regions, cover all hazardous chemicals and wastes, adopt a one‑health perspective, and apply systems‑thinking solution‑oriented assessments. They support the initiative, noting humanity likely exceeds planetary boundaries for novel entities, and urge scientists and practitioners to mobilize networks and strengthen science–policy interaction to aid intergovernmental negotiations.

Abstract

Abstract The chemical pollution crisis severely threatens human and environmental health globally. To tackle this challenge the establishment of an overarching international science–policy body has recently been suggested. We strongly support this initiative based on the awareness that humanity has already likely left the safe operating space within planetary boundaries for novel entities including chemical pollution. Immediate action is essential and needs to be informed by sound scientific knowledge and data compiled and critically evaluated by an overarching science–policy interface body. Major challenges for such a body are (i) to foster global knowledge production on exposure, impacts and governance going beyond data-rich regions (e.g., Europe and North America), (ii) to cover the entirety of hazardous chemicals, mixtures and wastes, (iii) to follow a one-health perspective considering the risks posed by chemicals and waste on ecosystem and human health, and (iv) to strive for solution-oriented assessments based on systems thinking. Based on multiple evidence on urgent action on a global scale, we call scientists and practitioners to mobilize their scientific networks and to intensify science–policy interaction with national governments to support the negotiations on the establishment of an intergovernmental body based on scientific knowledge explaining the anticipated benefit for human and environmental health.