Pollution

Pollution not only threatens the environment, but also human health, well-being and sustainable development as a whole. The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has recognized the critical importance of reducing pollution and its impacts in both the theme of “Healthy Environment, Healthy People” and “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet”. This also included developing an implementation plan toward achieving a pollution free planet. Additionally, pollution related issues cut across the SDG framework in the 2030 Agenda which demonstrates the global recognition of the key link between pollution and development.

Approaching 4 years after the 3^rd UNEA on “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet” and 5 years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, there is a need to review how the world is doing in terms of achieving both a pollution-free planet and the pollution-related SDGs (including the SDG targets and indicators which link to the drivers, pressures, state, impacts and responses). What is the current state of play? How are global, regional and country level commitment and actions to address the environmental root causes of ill health translating into progress toward the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)? What are the gaps and opportunities?

The State of Pollution will be assessed using an indicator-based approach which utilizes the pollution related SDG indicators. The pollution related SDG indicators were mapped out using the analysis in the pollution free planet and are continuing to be developed over time, including through adding supplementary indicators when the SDGs do not have a relevant indicator for a pollution related topic.