Towards a pollution-free planet

This technical background report is prepared for the Third Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly. It presents an in-depth examination of the scale, impacts, and costs of global pollution across six major categories: air, land and soil, freshwater, marine and coastal, chemicals, and waste. Drawing on scientific evidence, the report details how pollution contributes to 19 million premature deaths annually and significantly impairs ecosystem functions, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. It outlines governance gaps and the inadequacy of current responses, despite existing multilateral environmental agreements. The report proposes a dual-track framework for action—targeted interventions addressing high-impact pollutants and systemic economic transformations toward circularity and sustainability. It emphasizes enablers such as education, improved environmental governance, and financial incentives. The document advocates for a global compact on pollution, stronger enforcement, sustainable consumption and production, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to accelerate progress toward a pollution-free planet and the realization of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.