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Global Chemicals Outlook II Summary

Core Content

The Global Chemicals Outlook II (GCO-II) is a synthesis report that provides a comprehensive overview of the global chemicals and waste management landscape, highlighting the urgent need for more ambitious and coordinated action to achieve sustainable development goals. It outlines key findings, challenges, and opportunities in managing chemicals and waste in a way that minimizes adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Main Findings

1. Global Chemical Industry Growth

   • The global chemical industry was valued at over $5 trillion in 2017, and is projected to double by 2030.
   • Emerging economies are driving rapid increases in chemical consumption and production.
   • Global supply chains are becoming more complex, increasing the need for sustainable management.

2. Chemical Use and Environmental Risks

   • 62% of chemicals consumed in the EU in 2016 were hazardous to health.
   • Hazardous chemicals and pollutants, including plastic waste and pharmaceutical pollutants, continue to leak into the environment, contaminating food chains and accumulating in the human body.
   • These substances are ubiquitous and pose long-term risks to ecosystems and public health.

3. Health and Environmental Impacts

   • The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 1.6 million lives were affected by selected chemicals in 2016, likely an underestimate.
   • Chemical pollution threatens ecosystem services, such as clean air, water, and soil.
   • Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), carcinogens, and neurodevelopmental chemicals are among the most concerning substances due to their potential risks.

4. Progress and Gaps in Achieving the 2020 Goal

   • Despite some progress, the 2020 goal of achieving environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste has not been met.
   • International treaties and voluntary instruments have reduced risks for some chemicals and wastes, but implementation gaps remain.
   • Over 120 countries had not implemented the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) by 2018.

5. Need for Ambitious Action

   • Sustainable supply chain management, green chemistry, and circular business models are critical to reducing risks.
   • Consumer demand, education, and innovation (e.g., through start-ups) are important drivers of change in chemicals management.
   • Enabling policies and new financing mechanisms (e.g., cost recovery and financial sector engagement) are needed to scale up sustainable solutions.

6. Global Knowledge Gaps

   • There are significant knowledge gaps in chemicals management, particularly in developing countries.
   • Harmonizing research protocols, integrating health and environmental impact data, and strengthening the science-policy interface are essential to addressing these gaps.

7. Role of Stakeholders

   • Frontrunner companies are adopting sustainable practices, including full material disclosure and human rights-based policies.
   • However, widespread implementation of these initiatives remains limited.
   • Collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders is crucial to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

8. Chemicals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

   • SDG 3.9 aims to reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution by 2030.
   • SDG 12.4 seeks to achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all waste by 2020, with a focus on minimizing their release into the environment.

Key Messages for Policymakers

• The 2020 goal for chemicals and waste management is not on track to be achieved.
• Global cooperation and ambitious action by all stakeholders are essential.
• Innovative solutions and policy instruments should be prioritized to ensure safe and sustainable management of chemicals.
• Strengthening legislation and capacity in developing and emerging economies is a key priority.
• Knowledge sharing and mutual acceptance of approaches (e.g., hazard assessment, alternatives assessment) can lead to significant cost savings and improved outcomes.

International Instruments and Agreements

• Montreal Protocol (1989): Addressing ozone-depleting substances.
• Basel Convention (1992): Managing transboundary hazardous waste.
• Rotterdam Convention (2004): Prior informed consent for hazardous chemicals in international trade.
• Stockholm Convention (2004): Eliminating persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
• Minamata Convention (2017): Reducing mercury use and emissions.
• Globally Harmonized System (GHS): A framework for classifying and labelling chemicals, aimed to be fully operational by 2008.
• International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management: A voluntary instrument for pesticide management.

Conclusion

The GCO-II emphasizes that while the chemical industry is a vital part of the global economy, its current practices pose serious risks to human health and the environment. Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires global action, innovation, and policy reform. The report calls for a shift from legacy approaches to innovative and sustainable solutions, ensuring that the benefits of chemistry are harnessed responsibly and that its risks are minimized through effective management and international cooperation.