Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers and Ways of Minimizing Them: Envisioning a Chemical-Safe World - Summary for Policymakers

This document provides a consolidated overview of the global environmental and health impacts associated with pesticides and fertilizers. Developed by the United Nations Environment Programme in response to a United Nations Environment Assembly resolution, the document addresses critical data gaps regarding these deliberately released chemicals. While these inputs offer agricultural benefits, current expanding production and management deficiencies create unsustainable patterns that harm non-target organisms and cross planetary boundaries. Key findings indicate that pesticides cause acute and chronic illnesses, while inefficient fertilizer use drives water contamination, eutrophication, and greenhouse gas emissions. Mitigating these risks requires transformative, collaborative value-chain actions.