| Abbreviation | ISP-CWP |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2025 |
| Type | Panel |
Interim Secretariat | Tessa Goverse |
Parent organization | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Website | https://www.unep.org/isp-cwp |
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP) is an independent intergovernmental body of the United Nations, dedicated to providing policymakers with objective, authoritative scientific assessments on the "third planetary crisis." Modeled after the successful structures of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the ISP-CWP aims to synthesize and evaluate the most up-to-date scientific knowledge regarding the full lifecycle of chemicals, the generation of waste, and the sources and impacts of pollution. Its primary function is to serve as the leading global authority, delivering policy-relevant, but not policy-prescriptive, information to help governments make informed decisions to protect human health and the environment.
The establishment of this panel in June 2025 [1] addresses a critical gap in global environmental governance, creating a unified platform to tackle the complex and interconnected challenges posed by chemicals, waste, and pollution. By bridging the divide between science and policy, the ISP-CWP will assess the scale of the issues, identify emerging problems, and evaluate the effectiveness of potential solutions and response strategies. This work is crucial for supporting the implementation of existing international agreements, such as the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm conventions, and for informing the development of new global frameworks. Ultimately, the panel will empower nations with the evidence needed to forge effective, coordinated action against one of the most pressing threats to planetary health and sustainable development.
Its first plenary is scheduled in 2026 [2] .
