In the past decade, the use of toxic pesticides – the catch-all term for chemicals used to control insects (insecticides), weeds (herbicides), and fungi (fungicides) – has created economic harm and financial risk for investors. For example, after acquiring Monsanto, a leading producer of glyphosate, a pesticide linked to cancer, Bayer is facing an estimated $16 billion in litigation costs [1]. The economic dependence we have on toxic chemicals is unsustainable as the costs associated… …
To better assess how companies are future-proofing supply chains and meeting growing demand for ingredients inherently safer for human health, climate change and biodiversity, investors are setting the following expectations in dialogues and engagements with food retailers, food manufacturers and agrochemical producers: Assessment and disclosure of a company’s material impacts, both positive and negative, and dependencies on biodiversity and ecosystems and their interaction… …
The Business Case for Effective Management of Environmental and Human Rights Impacts
Solar Supply Chains: The Business Case for Effective Management of Environmental and Human Rights Impacts As the global solar market surges toward a projected $436 billion valuation by 2032, this report outlines the urgent need for solar companies and investors to address escalating risks across the value chain. From forced labor in critical mineral mining to toxic chemicals like PFAS in manufacturing, unmanaged impacts threaten regulatory compliance, financial stability, and market access. The… …
The UN Global Framework on Chemicals provides a roadmap for investors on shifting away from harmful chemicals
Chemicals play a critical role in modern life, but their pervasive use and mismanagement have led to a triple planetary crisis of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss. The chemical sector is the third-largest source of industrial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. Scientists, meanwhile, warn us that we’ve breached Earth’s thresholds for chemical pollution. Toxic chemicals can also cause health problems from infertility to cancer to neurodevelopment disabilities in… …
Introduction
In the United States, racial and ethnic minorities are exposed to higher levels of pollution than their white counterparts, contributing to higher rates of mortality and chronic disease. A history of racial inequity and environmental injustice within the United States was perpetuated, in part, by government-sanctioned policies and practices, such as redlining and segregation. In the 1930s, neighborhoods across the country were categorized by their “desirability” based on… …
Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals
“Target D3 – By 2030, the private sector, including the finance sector, incorporates strategies and policies to implement the sound management of chemicals and waste in its finance approaches and business models and applies internationally recognized or equivalent reporting standards.” “Target D6 – By 2030, sustainable chemical and waste management strategies have been developed and implemented for major economic and industry sectors that identify priority… …
Clean Production Action (CPA) will advocate for the need to reduce chemical footprints by 2030 at the upcoming United Nations’ International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) in - Bonn, Germany, 25 - 29 September 2023. Over twenty years ago, leaders from around the world united under the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to set objectives aimed at reducing the harmful effects of chemicals on both human health and the environment by 2020. But this goal was not met. Instead, chemical… …
The recent INC2 negotiations on a global plastic treaty have focused attention on the entire life cycle of plastics — from plastics’ fossil fuel origins and toxic additives to plastic waste’s persistence in the environment. Recycling, along with reducing production and consumption, has been a key focus of the talks. A less prominent theme has been the need for innovation in green chemistry solutions for plastics. The toxic hazards along the life cycle of most… …
The true cost of toxic chemical substances is not captured by a GDP-driven economy
In many instances chemicals have been a boon for human health, productivity, and economic growth. But increasingly their heavy usage has begun to threaten the health of people and the planet. Indeed, the threat of chemical pollution now stands on a par with climate change and biodiversity loss as one of our greatest challenges. But the worst may be yet to come. The production of chemicals is predicted to only increase in the coming decades, as the world’s population keeps growing. As the… …
Investors commend corporations for reducing business risk by eliminating over 37 million kilograms of toxic chemicals from products, and call on more companies to adopt best practice and join the 2023 Chemical Footprint Survey
Recent scientific studies make clear that we are reaching a tipping point on chemical pollution and taking “urgent action” is necessary [1]. According to the Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) report, “chemical pollution is one of the three planetary crises confronting humanity along with climate change and biodiversity loss”. Continued dependency on chemicals known to cause harm to human health and the environment exacerbate climate change, biodiversity loss and… …