Live streaming at (no registration necessary):  https://webcast.ec.europa.eu/unea-52-side-event-a-zero-pollution-ambition-to-protect-nature-and-people-2022-03-01

Pollution is one of the five main drivers for biodiversity loss. The objective of this event is to demonstrate how actions to reduce pollution also protect nature and people and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Effective solutions to pollution are being deployed worldwide, often with success. However, pollution continues to affect every part of the Planet and continues to impair the achievement of sustainable development.

Many opportunities exist to strengthen capacities and collaborate to tackle major sources of pollution with more decisive action. This event offers an opportunity to dialogue on various actions and approaches and opportunities to further strengthen pollution reduction action as a contribution to nature protection and well-being.

The EU’s zero pollution ambition for a toxic free environment is an integrated approach focussing on prevention benefiting nature and biodiversity and contributing to all dimensions of sustainable development. It sets out a 2050 vision that leads to the elimination of harm to biodiversity and ecosystems as well as to humans whilst ensuring that pollution stays within the planetary boundaries.

Also UNEA has set out a vision towards a pollution-free planet with a time horizon of 2030 and countries have embraced the challenge of stepping up efforts and tackling key pollution sources, through the involvement of key stakeholders.

What more can be done to move decisively in this direction and tackle main sources of pollution and thus protect nature and people?