The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution ↗ (ISPCWP) was adopted at an intergovernmental meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in June. After five days of intense negotiations, countries reached an agreement, concluding a three-year debate led by the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) established under the United Nations Environment Programme ↗ (UNEP).

The group agreed on the foundational document enabling the establishment of the Panel, the documents to be considered during its first session, and the arrangements for the interim period.

Hosted by UNEP, the ISPCWP will provide policymakers with science-based information needed to address the third component of the current triple planetary crisis – climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. The Panel will serve as a dedicated global science-policy interface.

It is expected to conduct global assessments, identify knowledge gaps, communicate complex science in policy-friendly formats, and integrate capacity building into national decision-making processes. The Panel will also look ahead, forecasting emerging threats based on the best available science and knowledge, to anticipate and guide timely responses.

Thomas Jakl, Chair of the PARC Governing Board and Deputy Director General at the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, participated in the intergovernmental meeting as the high-level representative for Austria. In his speech, he emphasised that:

All three components of the triple planetary crisis will be addressed by sound science and evidence-based policy. This makes the decision taken today a truly historic one.

He also elaborated on the EU/Austrian approach to understanding the triple planetary crisis as 

triggering transformation processes – transformation of our economies, of our societies and of our policies. Evidence-based assessment of risks is just the key component of all strategies addressing the three pillars of the crisis.

Finally, Thomas Jakl underscored that science-based assessment ensures transparency, accountability and reliability of policies. It guarantees a level playing field and acceptance for all stakeholders and invited all to visit a website and establish a dialogue with a (science-policy) partnership of more than 200 institutions, PARC established in Europe.