Pollution – including from chemicals and waste – is a global problem: deadly to humans, destructive to ecosystems and disastrous for economies. To counter these threats, the countries of the world are developing a new body that will provide cutting-edge science and policy advice on issues related to chemicals, pollution and waste. This science-policy panel, expected to become operational in 2025, is seen as pivotal to improving the health of people and the planet, and to tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.