General Resources
Description
Introductory resources and reference materials to help acquaint you with the issue of pollutants.
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Resources
The Global Framework on Chemicals
The new Global Framework on Chemicals, adopted at the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) in Bonn, Germany, provides a vision for a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste. Based around 28 targets, the framework outlines a roadmap for countries and stakeholders to collaboratively address the lifecycle of chemicals, including products and waste. It features a range of actions to ensure that a broad cross-section of stakeholders from governments, industry, international technical agencies, and civil society can support positive change on key topics, such as phasing out the most harmful chemicals, advancing circularity, and strengthening capacity-building, particularly in countries with insufficient enforcement regimes.
Practical Guide to Chemical Management Due Diligence in Supply Chains
This practical guide from the Responsible Business Alliance was created to provide you with a standardised, due diligence process template for managing chemical risks. It reflects RBA member companies’ experiences and learnings and seeks to promote a collective understanding among businesses, governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), workers’ organisations, employers’ organisations, the public, and other stakeholders on best practices for responsible chemical management conduct to safeguard workers’ health and the environment.
A Practical Guide For Business: Air Pollutant Emission Assessment
Developed by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, Stockholm Environment Institute, and IKEA Group, this guide can help you to quantify air pollutant emissions within your value chain. The guide uses introduces a method for the comprehensive accounting of emissions, and provides a six-step approach for developing an air pollutant emission inventory for a broad range of contaminants, including particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Ammonia (NH3), and Carbon Monoxide (CO). The guide also introduces approaches to mitigation and implementation, and explains how an emissions inventory can be used for decision-making and strategy.
Safe planetary boundary for pollutants, including plastics, exceeded, say researchers
This article explains how - for the first time - the impact of "novel entities" (synthetic chemicals including plastics) on the stability of the Earth system has been assessed. This article will help you to understand that humanity has exceeded a planetary boundary related to environmental pollutants, and that urgent action is required.
National Geographic Resource Library: Pollution
This introductory resource provides a high-level explanation of air, land, and water pollution; key sources of pollution; and requirements for reducing pollution.
Towards Planet Positive Chemicals: A Chemical Transformation Roadmap
This report from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development outlines actionable steps for transforming how chemicals are produced, used, and recycled. Designed for decision-makers and stakeholders across value chains relying on chemicals (including business and sustainability leaders, policymakers, and financial institutions), the report was developed in collaboration with nine leading chemical companies and the ERM Sustainability Institute to provide a blueprint for collaboration. It identifies and unpacks three imperatives for transformation (net-zero chemicals, nature-positive chemicals, and a just transition for chemicals) and three enablers that support these imperatives (empowering a circular economy, activating sustainable chemistry, and combatting pollution). It also highlights six pathways and 33 actions to be taken by 2030 to transition toward just, net-zero, nature-positive chemicals.
A Profitable Detox: Why safer chemistry makes financial sense
This report from ChemSec can help you to understand the changes needed for a sustainable chemistry transition. It explains the the systemic risk of hazardous chemicals and outlines the mid- to long-term business case for chemical manufacturers to increase transparency, publish time-bound plans to phase out persistent chemicals, and develop safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals. It also presents tangible examples of companies that have accepted the competitive need to make this transition.
World's Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index
The World Air Quality Index Project has created this interactive map to provide real-time and recent historical information on the world's air pollution in over 10,000 locations. This resource will help you to keep track of the pollution in the communities in which you operate, as well as to provide evocative air quality information to leaders for educational purposes.