Press releases

26 may 2011, London/Brussels

Less than one-third of 60 metals studied have end-of-life recycling rate above 50%; 34 are under 1%

Among recommendations: Boost waste management in developing economies; End hoarding of old phones, other electronic products

1 apr 2011, Rome

United Nations chemical experts have recommended that two pesticides – endosulfan and azinphos methyl – and one severely hazardous pesticide formulation – Gramoxone Super – be included in the Rotterdam Convention’s Prior Informed Consent procedure. Three industrial chemicals – perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), its salts and precursors; pentaBDE commercial mixtures; and octaBDE commercial mixtures – were also recommended for inclusion.

17 mar 2011, Honolulu (Hawai'i)

The Architecture of Plastic Pollution art exhibition & event at the UNEP/NOAA 5th International Marine Debris Conference, Honolulu, Hawai'i (www.5imdc.org), March 20-25, 2011, at the Marriott Hotel, University of Hawai'i at Manoa School of Architecture and at satellite venues, March 19–31, 2011.

11 mar 2011, Santa Monica (USA)

Capping the most extensive study of ocean plastic pollution ever undertaken, pioneering researchers with the 5 Gyres Institute will launch a voyage on March 19 through the fifth of five global subtropical gyres, the massive swirling areas of the ocean where plastic debris accumulates.

21 feb 2011, Nairobi, by Safe Planet

Climate change increases the planet’s vulnerability to highly toxic chemicals, according to a global study released jointly by the Stockholm Secretariat and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) at the UNEP Governing Council today.

16 feb 2011, Geneva

Stockholm Convention secretariat launched POPs Webinars on 16 February 2011 To complement its face-to-face training activities, the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention is hosting a series of webinars that focus on key issues relevant to the implementation of the Convention.

17 feb 2011, Nairobi

The UNEP Year Book provides new scientific insights into emerging environmental issues and analyses recent developments in our changing environment.

21 jan 2011, Geneva

The generation and transboundary movements of hazardous wastes around the globe continue to increase steadily, a study published this week by the United Nations in Geneva found.

20 jan 2011, Bogotá/Geneva

The member-Governments of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal will meet at the Cartagena de Indias Convention Centre, Cartagena, Colombia, in October 2011 for the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, hosted by the Government of Colombia.

7 dec 2010, Cancun (Mexico)

UN study finds climate change increases exposure to POPs and heightens their toxic effects on humans and the environment.

19 oct 2010, Geneva

Moving to strengthen global science on hazardous chemicals, the POPs Review Committee proposes to investigate toxicological interactions of multiple chemicals and welcomes new research on chemicals & climate change.

14 may 2010, Geneva

Greater emphasis on highlighting the links between waste management, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and human health and livelihoods underpins a new 10-year vision for the Basel Convention recommended by governments today.

12 apr 2010, Geneva

UNEP Green Economy Initiative Assesses Role of Sustainable Agriculture in Boosting Exports, Livelihoods and Jobs Across the Region.

19 mar 2010, Geneva

United Nations chemical experts have recommended that two pesticides - endosulfan and azinphos methyl - be included in the Rotterdam Convention's "Prior Informed Consent" procedure.

12 mar 2010, Parma (Italy)

The UNEP Stockholm Convention Secretariat has announced a major international study into the influence of climate change and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on human health and the environment.

9 mar 2010, San Francisco

A UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report has inspired an out-of-the-box creation, The Plastiki - a 60-foot catamaran made from 12,500 reclaimed bottles and fully recycled plastic which will set sail at the end of March to raise awareness about plastic waste.

22 feb 2010, Bali (Indonesia)

Sales of electronic products in countries like China and India and across continents such as Africa and Latin America are set to rise sharply in the next 10 years.

21 feb 2010, Bali (Indonesia)

Following interviews on pesticide use with over 1,300 peasant farmers and agricultural workers from eight Asian countries, Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific released its report 'Communities in Peril: Asian Regional Report on Community Monitoring of Highly Hazardous Pesticide Use' at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum.