Application Deadline: Extended to 30 June 2020
Hamburg, Geneva, Paris, Nairobi. 4 March 2020 – This year, the world renowned Future Policy Award, also known as the “Oscars on best policies”, will celebrate the world’s best laws, policies, and legal frameworks that regulate or ban the use of chemicals that threaten the environment and human health. Each year, the World Future Council, in collaboration with UN agencies, highlights exemplary policies in one field where innovation and action are particularly urgent.
Around 40,000-60,000 chemicals are in use worldwide, some of which cause irreversible harm to humans and the environment; many of these are particularly problematic chemicals that end up in our food chain and the environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the burden of disease from exposure to selected chemicals at 1.6 million lives in 2016, and many more cases of illness. Children are especially vulnerable, and can be affected already before birth with long-lasting effects.
“The global chemicals industry is projected to double by 2030. Strengthening the sound management of chemicals and waste is urgently required, in view of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Future Policy Award will honour best practice examples in this regard,” said the German Federal Minister of the Environment, Svenja Schulze.
“Adverse effects of chemicals can impact present and future generations. Therefore, we must find effective ways to manage hazardous chemicals throughout their lifecycle to protect humans and the environment,” said the President of the German Environment Agency, Prof. Dr. Dirk Messner.
Call for Nominations
With the Call for Nominations, we seek comprehensive policies, laws and legal frameworks that protect human health, specifically the health of children, and the environment. We are particularly interested in the regimentation of chemicals in products including plastic, highly toxic pesticides, and lead in paint. We also warmly welcome nominations for the protection of children and youth from dangerous work and exposure to toxic chemicals.
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