Towards a Pollution-Free Planet - Background Report

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Pollution today is pervasive and persistent. While the world has achieved significant economic growth over the past few decades, it has been accompanied by large amounts of pollution, with significant impacts on human health and ecosystems and the ways in which some of the major Earth system processes, such as the climate, are functioning. Though some forms of pollution have been reduced as technologies and management strategies have advanced, approximately 19 million premature deaths are estimated to occur annually as a result of the way societies use natural resources and impact the environment to support production and consumption. If consumption and production patterns continue as they are, the linear economic model of “take-make-dispose” will seriously burden an alreadypolluted planet, affecting current and future generations.

The report conveys five overarching messages:

• A global compact on pollution would make pollution prevention a priority for all.
• Environmental governance needs to be strengthened at all levels.
• Sustainable consumption and production, through improved resource efficiency and lifestyle changes, should be promoted; waste reduction and management must be prioritized.
• Investment in cleaner production and consumption will help to counter pollution.
• Multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborations are vital for the innovation, knowledge-sharing and transdisciplinary research needed to develop technological and ecosystems- based solutions.