Sustainable Development Goals
A clean and healthy environment is required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Efforts to counter the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste must be ramped up in order to truly transform societies and economies for everyone, everywhere.
In Focus: Africa Climate Summit & Week, 4-8 September
- Event ProgrammeUNEP will be leading several side events on key themes ranging from energy systems, to cities, to food.
- Featured UpdatesLatest highlights from the UN System, and partners covering these critical climate events in Africa.
- Climate EmergencyFind the latest news, stories, reports, and interactives on the climate crisis.
UNEP by the numbers
80%
The amount by which plastics flowing into the ocean could be reduced through circular economy measures, including under the deal to tackle plastic pollution nations began negotiating in 2022.
23
The number of concrete targets to be met by 2030 under the new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
0.5-1ºC
The additional global warming that may be avoided by the Montreal Protocol by protecting carbon sinks from ultraviolet radiation.
2.7million
The total number of people expected to benefit from UNEP’s ecosystem-based adaptation work.
1.2million
The equivalent number of cars that will be taken off the road each year by emissions cuts delivered through UNEP-supported efficient lighting work in Pakistan and Indonesia.
Containing toxic chemicals and dangerous waste
In 2022, the Minamata Convention on Mercury expanded its scope to cover unregulated sources of this harmful chemical element, including certain lamps, satellite propellants and children’s dental fillings. Mercury-added products like these account for 30 per cent of global mercury use. Meanwhile, parties agreed to amend the Basel Convention to make all e-waste subject to prior informed consent, a means of sharing information globally regarding certain chemicals and pesticides considered dangerous. Globally, 53 million tonnes of e-waste were generated in 2019, of which only 17 per cent was recycled. Sister conventions – the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions – also added important industrial chemicals to their controlled lists.
The Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States programme was launched in June. This five-year initiative, funded by the Global Environment Facility, seeks to prevent the release of over 23,000 tonnes of toxic chemicals and more than 185,000 tonnes of marine litter. It supports 33 Small Island Developing States and addresses the obligations of the Stockholm Convention, the Minamata Convention and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management.
UNEP also stepped up its efforts to tackle wastewater pollution and associated ecological and health risks, especially antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. In 2019, drug-resistant bacterial infections contributed to nearly 5 million deaths. The quadripartite alliance of UNEP, FAO, WHO and WOAH set up a new framework to support national responses to antimicrobial resistance and advocated for action on the issue at the highest level, including the Group of 20.
Case Study Bogotá (Colombia): Using Technologies to Reduce Food Waste
In Colombia, 9.7 million tons of food are lost and wasted each year, enough to feed the population of Bogota – the country’s capital and largest city – in the same period. Out of every 3 tons of food produced in the country, 1 ton ends up in the garbage. The annual cost of these losses and wastes amounts to $45.37 million Colombian pesos. There have been efforts to promote the use of digital technology to tackle the food waste problem, but however, entrepreneurs still face different barriers such as o limited technical capacities and lack of investment.
Therefore, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with the support of the University of Los Andes and within the context of the Green Tech Project, launched #SinDesperdicio Bogota, a programme focused on strengthening the entrepreneurial skills of a group of nine start-ups.
Introducción
1. Herbs
2. Banana
3. Freezer
4. Vegetables
5. Scented Water
6. Pasta Sauce
7. Chicken Sandwich
8. Rice Salad
9. Oatmeal Smoothie
10. Shopping
Food waste: a global problem that undermines healthy diets
“When we don’t waste food we aren’t just saving it from the bin. ”
The problem of food waste is a global one and not limited to wealthy nations alone, said Nancy Aburto, Deputy Director of FAO’s Food and Nutrition Division Economic and Social Development Stream, speaking at a press conference in Geneva.
“Food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition are impacting every country in the world and no country is unaffected; 811 million people suffer hunger, two billion suffer micronutrient deficiencies – that’s vitamin and mineral deficiencies – and millions of children suffer stunting and wasting, deadly forms of under-nutrition.”
The FAO official warned that the high cost of “healthy” diets, meant that they were now “out of reach” of every region in the world, including Europe.
She also said that more countries needed to embrace innovation to reduce waste, such as new packaging that can prolong the shelf-life of many foods, while smartphone apps can bring consumers closer to producers, reducing the time between harvest and plate.
Food reuse/preserve machine
Summer project for teens
We will establish a boot camp about food waste to raise awareness
We will have different workshops, teaching the students about food waste
through various perspectives.
Lasting about 7 days
Food Waste 