UNEP Research Articles

A Social Life Cycle Assessment as a Key to Territorial Development: A Study of the Hydrangea Crop in Colombia

Studying the social dynamics and development potential of agricultural enterprises is fundamental to promoting sustainable territorial growth. This study aims to assess the impact of growers of small and medium-sized hydrangea crops in the Colombian province of La Paz through a social life cycle analysis (S-LCA), shedding light on their fundamental roles as catalysts for regional development. For this purpose, the prioritization of actors and performance indicators is conducted following the methodologies proposed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Social variables are identified using the subcategory assessment method (SAM) to strengthen and assess indicators of low and high performance. Sixteen subcategories are qualitatively assessed, with 56% falling short of performance benchmarks, 25% meeting the benchmarks, 13% exceeding the benchmarks with proactive behavior, and 6% having potential with effort. Priority areas were identified as local employment and economic development contributions. This study highlights the significant impact of hydrangea production on territorial development, emphasizing the need to improve social security and health conditions for workers. Environmental actions to reduce agrochemical use are also advocated. This study proposes transforming the social life cycle analysis into an opportunity to evaluate actors’ performance and their contribution to territorial and sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of assessing social impacts, ethical implications, and community relations throughout the crop value chain, with governance being a crucial aspect for territorial development. This study advocates the integration of these analyses into farm operations, serving as a benchmark for similar assessments across various agricultural activities.

The Functionalization of Cotton Fabric Using Urtica dioica Microcapsules to Develop UV Protective Textiles

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have highlighted the increased risk of skin cancer due to exposure to UV radiation. This emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the skin. Although sunscreens are commonly used for protection their high cost, the need for frequent reapplication, and pollution in coastal areas necessitate alternative solutions. Clothing also offers protection but requires additional application of dyes and finishes for prolonged effectiveness. The application of synthetic or natural dyes can enhance the UV protection properties of the fabric but Synthetic dyes contribute to pollution, while natural dyes lack durability. Addressing these challenges, this study focuses on providing a durable and sustainable solution for enhancing the UV protective properties of cotton fabric using Urtica dioica microcapsules based on RSM design. Urtica dioica plant extract serves as the core material for the microcapsules. Design Expert software 10 has been used for the study. It was observed through software that at 4.116% concentration of microcapsules, 3% concentration of binder and a curing temperature of 113.258 °C an optimum UPF with sufficient fabric properties can be achieved. On conducting the experiments on these optimum conditions UPF, tensile strength and bending length value were found to be 277.60, 14.89 N/cm2 and 2.00 cm respectively. Results indicate that cotton fabric demonstrates excellent UV protection properties even after the 20th wash cycle. This research contributes to the ongoing quest for fabric with UV protection, emphasizing both efficacy and sustainability compared to current synthetic alternatives available in the market.

Origin, Settlement, and Beliefs of the Bisukha and Bidakho of the Luhya Community-Kenya

This study interrogated the origin, settlement and the beliefs of the Bisukha and Bidakho sub-ethnic groups in the larger Luhya ethnic group. The paper has unravelled the etymologies of the Luhya, Isukha and Idakho terms. Furthermore, it has established the origins, migrations and settlements of the Bisukha and Bidakho, the differences and simulations that exist between them. The paper has also delved into the social-cultural economic and political institutions with their related beliefs, taboos and practices. The reviewed literature established a number of lacunae which this study has endeavoured to fill. The historical and ethnographic research designs were employed by the study. Oral interviews were used to collect the data, which was analysed within the environmental deterministic theoretical approach. The major finding is that; the various social, economic, cultural and political practices were done with the wisdom of maintaining the ecological set up for sustainability. That is, the pre-colonial Bisukha and Bidakho kept their ecological balance of give and take strategies that did not constrain the ecosystem. Acronyms: AMAA - African Mutual Assistance Association, FGDs - Focused Group Discussions, NKCA - North Kavirondo Central Association, UNEP- United Nations Environmental Programme

Climate classification for Northeast Brazil using reanalysis data and the Absolute Aridity Index

The climate of the Northeast Region of Brazil (NEB) has been intensively studied and analyzed for climate classification. The aridity index of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (AIUNEP) has been used for this purpose, but without fully satisfactory results. The input variables needed for its calculation are precipitation and reference potential evapotranspiration (ET0). However, although rainfall stations recording routine measurements of precipitation are well distributed in the NEB, they do not provide the necessary variables for estimating ET0. Thus, interpolation is used to calculate ET0, but this can generate errors. Another objective climate classification approach is the Thornthwaite method, based on the determination of the moisture index (Im), whose calculation also requires weather station data. Thus, seeking to circumvent the problem of paucity of stations and improve the spatial distribution of information on meteorological variables in the NEB, the present work had as one of its objectives to validate reanalysis data from ERA5 of the European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) and the unified gauge-based analysis of global daily precipitation project of the Climate Prediction Center/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (CPC/NOAA). After validation, climate classifications were developed for the NEB using the AIUNEP and Im. It was observed that the Thornthwaite climate classification overestimated the aridity in the NEB, while the IAUNEP tended to underestimate it. For this reason, a new climate classification index, called the absolute aridity index (Iab), was suggested, yielding satisfactory results.

Leveraging virtual datasets to investigate the interplay of pollinators, protected areas, and SDG 15

Biodiversity loss amplifies the need for taxonomic understanding at global, regional, and local scales. The United Nations Environmental Programme Sustainable Development Goals are explicit in their demand for greater accountability with respect to ecosystem management, and Sustainable Development Goal 15, Life on Land, specifically calls for a halt to biodiversity loss. Pollinators (bees and butterflies) are two functional groups with public attention for protection, yet little long-term data availability. National Parks, including those in the United States, act as optimal sites to study biodiversity loss, but historic data tends to vary in availability. This study addresses systematic taxonomic and digitalization biases present within historic (museum), modern (citizen science), and non-digitized (private collection) datasets for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks from 1900 to 2021. We find that, although database record availability is representative of butterfly and bumble bee groups known for the area, categories such as data rescue, digitalization/availability, and management/archiving vary across database types. These findings on virtual datasets offer opportunities for conservationists to understand the efficacy of digitized collections in addressing questions of species loss over time, including the strengths and pitfalls of digitized data repositories. Additionally, virtual datasets can be utilized to monitor biodiversity under Sustainable Development Goal 15 targets while also promoting broader access to resources such as museum collections for educational purposes.

ROLE AND POSITION OF INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Problems regarding global environmental issues have become the focus of attention of developed and developing countries. Because the issue of environmental damage certainly has quite a broad impact, namely regarding the exploitation of Natural Resources (SDA) on land, sea and air on a massive scale which then arises threats such as the depletion of the atmosphere and uncertain climate change, especially as the rate increases. population growth that is increasingly unmanageable transnationally. This destruction certainly requires an alternative solution through international legal instruments to be later adopted by other countries through international environmental institutions. Like the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as an organization originating from the United Nations (UN) in the environmental sector and several other institutions have the ability to handle global environmental problems by inviting each country to study dominant problems, such as forest fires, water pollution, or degradation of soil quality. Through international environmental institutions, of course it has become the focus of in-depth studies regarding its position and role in influencing environmental prevention and preservation in all countries around the world. The results of this research show that international institutions through their respective authorities are able to suppress policies in each country in cooperative activities to achieve global environmental protection programs.

Fighting plastic pollution with a circular economy roadmap and strategy: Addressed to the United Nations Environment Programme

Plastic pollution poses a significant challenge to the environment, biodiversity, and human health. Each year, the world produces 300 million tons of plastic waste, equivalent to the weight of the planet's entire human population. Only 9% of plastic products worldwide are recycled due to a pervasive throw-away culture and inefficient policies for managing single-use plastic. Over time, plastics fragment into smaller pieces, distributed across ecosystems by wind and rainfall. Marine and terrestrial wildlife accidentally ingest these smaller plastics, leading to a build-up of toxins in tissues. These toxins are transferred to other species, including humans, through the food chain. This document proposes two policy options to address this issue: (a) replacing conventional plastics with more environmentally friendly alternatives or (b) transitioning to a circular economy focused on reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling. We urge the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to pursue the latter by leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive global policy agenda for the appropriate and effective management of plastics. This would include the development of financial, environmental, and social estimators to quantify, manage, and reduce plastic waste. A UNEP-led global plastic policy agenda has the potential to standardize and regulate plastic production, consumption, and waste management and ultimately reduce the negative impact of plastics on ecosystems and human health.

Pathways toward a pollution-free planet and challenges

The mission of “Establishment of Zero-Pollution Earth” defined by United Nations Environment Programme aims at creation of a clean, safe and prosperous home for all human beings. It is of rational choice from each individual to protect our environment and demonstrates our great ambition to achieve our goals. The key message given in this article is that, zero pollution does not mean no discharge of pollutants and instead it can be achievable through optimizing and controlling a sound balance between pollutants discharge and capacities of decontamination through treatment and natural environmental accumulation, which can be termed as “Principle of Equilibrium” between pollution and decontamination. Based on this principle, we propose and illustrate several key factors and synergistic pathways toward a pollution-free planet: quantitative determination on purification and wastewater; source control through green measures; minimization of negative side-effects; precise management through digitalized systems; and keeping sound balance between pollutants and natural purification. It should be noted that we would face a series of difficulties and challenges in moving forward to “Zero-Pollution Earth”. We should further develop theories, principles and tools to achieve the balance between quantity of pollutants and decontamination capacities. Environmentalists should work together to break through the bottleneck limited by “Principle of equilibrium” to establish new environmental remediation systems leading to “Zero-Pollution Earth”.

Customer Engagement and the Corporate Sustainability Reputation of UNIQLO Impact Consumer’s Purchase Intention as Mediated by Customer Satisfaction

The ongoing debate on “fast fashion” and environmental impact has created a great divide amongst fashion industry players as well as consumers. The two sides of the narrative posits the upsides to retail manufacturing and consumer accessibility, whereas the other offers responsible consumption with long-term impact. Where fast fashion is defined as clothing manufactured at a rapid production cycle—from design to retail—-for the purpose of creating or leveraging trends. This innovation in the supply chain has enabled clothing companies to introduce capsule collections over a two-week period. The United Nations Environment Programme (2019) published an article citing the fashion industry as responsible for two to eight percent of global carbon emissions, and with implications expanding to a social context. With cognizance of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 12, the conversation leads to a study on sustainable consumption and production patterns. One such company now participating in this conversation is UNIQLO. Considered among global players in the fast fashion sector, the company has decided to consciously depart from this approach towards a more sustainable model. This study focused on an investigation of the customer engagement and the corporate sustainability reputation of UNIQLO consumers as mediated by customer satisfaction. The main concepts include two independent variables of customer engagement, the dependent variable of purchase intention, and the mediator of customer satisfaction. The researchers intend to take a quantitative approach via survey questionnaire, adapting items from measurements scales in previous studies. A total of 449 responses will be obtained from students from Metro Manila, Philippines. The data obtained will undergo statistical tests, including Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlation, simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, and mediation analysis. The results highlighted, firstly, that the variables of customer engagement, corporate sustainability reputation, and customer satisfaction significantly correlate and impact purchase intention. Secondly, it indicated that customer engagement and corporate sustainability reputation can substantially influence purchase intention. And, thirdly, the observation on customer satisfaction partially mediating the relationship between customer engagement and corporate sustainability reputation on purchase intention. As we accelerate towards the United Nation’s call to action on the SDGs come 2030, this study may bear significance to fashion industry practitioners, consumers, the Academe, on legislation, and the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion towards shifting the narrative on the fashion sector.

The Role of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) In Overcoming Deforestation In Central Kalimantan 2017-2020

Climate change is a global environmental problem, one of the causes of which is deforestation. As the second largest province in Indonesia, with forest area reaching 50% of the total area, Central Kalimantan has a vital role in environmental problems and deforestation. Government policies that convert forests into non-forest areas increase the rate of deforestation and increase global emissions. Deforestation is a worldwide problem that requires joint attention in handling, especially for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as the international environmental regime. This research is a type of qualitative research that uses analytical descriptive methods to describe the phenomenon of deforestation in Central Kalimantan and UNEP’s role in overcoming it. Library study techniques are used to collect research data in documents, which are compiled, analyzed, and concluded. UNEP’s role in realizing SDG 13 is examined using an international regime approach through global diplomacy. The research results show that UNEP, as an international regime, plays a vital role in making global regulations regarding handling climate change from the deforestation sector through REDD+. In its implementation, UNEP assisted Indonesia in implementing REDD+ in Central Kalimantan and acted as a catalyst, facilitator, advocate, and educator on the issue of deforestation in Central Kalimantan in 2017-2020. This research is essential to show the urgency of the multi-stakeholder role in global diplomacy in dealing with climate change.

Addressing air quality challenges: Comparative analysis of Barcelona, Venezuela, and Guayaquil, Ecuador

This study presents a willingness-to-pay (WtP) questionnaire that was designed, validated, and applied to assess perceptions of air quality and self-reported health in two middle-income South American cities: Barcelona and its neighboring cities (Venezuela) and Guayaquil (Ecuador). These cities lack air quality monitoring and control measures. The questionnaire is a reliable tool to assess air quality based on citizens' perceptions, and the results reveal that both populations perceive low air quality and accurately identify emission sources and air pollutants (industrial emissions and particulate matter in Barcelona and vehicular emissions and carbon monoxide in Guayaquil).The study also evaluated the efforts made by both cities to improve air quality using the United Nations Environment Programme to strengthen air quality in South America. Based on this evaluation, strengths were identified for enhancing air quality in both cities. The study finds that in Barcelona and its surroundings, investment is needed to improve urban transport, waste management, and update the environmental legislation regarding air quality at the national level. In contrast, Guayaquil has already taken some measures to improve air quality, but more investment in public transport and measures to lower vehicle emissions are needed.

Performance Analysis of Internet Enterprises From the Perspective of ESG: A Case Study of NetEase

In recent years, corporate performance evaluation has been mainly focused on financial performance, and there are few studies on the construction of performance evaluation system containing non-financial indicators. Especially since the concept of ESG was put forward by the Financial Action Agency of the United Nations Environment Program in 1992, environmental, social and corporate governance have gradually attracted the attention of social investors. Internet technology has helped the rapid development of domestic economy. Taking NetEase as an example, this paper aims to combine the concept of ESG with the financial performance of enterprises, establish an ESG performance evaluation system of Internet enterprises, and evaluate the system. It is found that the ESG performance evaluation system is more effective than the traditional performance evaluation, and finally summarizes the experience and enlightenment of ESG performance implementation.

Characterizing the aridity indices and potential evapotranspiration using CMIP6-GCMs in two distinct regions of Ethiopia

Abstract Using an ensemble of three global climate models, the current study aims to estimate climate change and quantify the changes in the aridity and evapotranspiration of two distinct areas in Ethiopia. To adjust for bias in the climate dataset, the Hydrological Modeling Tool (CMhyd) was used. These studies were initially run using station data and employed the shared socioeconomic pathways scenarios for the short-range (2011–2040) years and medium-range (2041–2070) years. Climate-related aridity is measured using the De Martone and United Nations Environment Programme aridity indices. The study's findings for the western and eastern catchments for the reference period (1981–2010) years reveal an average annual temperature rise of 1.5 and 0.06 °C and a drop in annual precipitation of 15.73 and 3.68 mm/year, respectively. These alter the climate in the geographical areas that have historically supported drought. Evapotranspiration in the western and eastern catchments may grow by up to 24.6 and 21.6%, respectively, by the 2070s. The observation implies that the western catchment may experience more pronounced climate change and volatility than the eastern one. The consequences of this observation influence agriculture, water resource management, and the social and economic well-being of those living in drought-prone areas.

Plastics in the environment in the context of UV radiation, climate change and the Montreal Protocol: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2023

This Assessment Update by the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) considers the interactive effects of solar UV radiation, global warming, and other weathering factors on plastics. The Assessment illustrates the significance of solar UV radiation in decreasing the durability of plastic materials, degradation of plastic debris, formation of micro- and nanoplastic particles and accompanying leaching of potential toxic compounds. Micro- and nanoplastics have been found in all ecosystems, the atmosphere, and in humans. While the potential biological risks are not yet well-established, the widespread and increasing occurrence of plastic pollution is reason for continuing research and monitoring. Plastic debris persists after its intended life in soils, water bodies and the atmosphere as well as in living organisms. To counteract accumulation of plastics in the environment, the lifetime of novel plastics or plastic alternatives should better match the functional life of products, with eventual breakdown releasing harmless substances to the environment.

Unlocking the Potential of Agrifood Waste for Sustainable Innovation in Agriculture

The United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP’s) Food Waste Index Report 2021 highlights a global annual food waste of 1 billion tons. The UNEP plays a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which aims to halve per capita global food waste (FW) at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains globally by 2030. On the other hand, the agricultural sector faces the challenge of increasing productivity to feed the world’s growing population while reducing the environmental impact on ecosystems and human health. In this context, the conversion of agri-food waste (AFW) into biocides, bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) and biostimulants could represent a successful approach to tackle all these issues. This review shows the latest findings on the different sources of AFW and the application of their bioactive compounds in agriculture. Increasing crop yields and improving plant physiology through the utilization of AFW-derived value products aligns with a circular economy approach, bolstering people’s confidence in managing food waste for improved food production.

It takes two to tango: the second session of negotiations (INC-2) for a global treaty to end plastic pollution

The United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) has completed its second round of negotiations on a new international legally binding instrument to ‘end plastic pollution’. This paper examines the results of the second session of negotiations, which took place May 29–June 2, 2023, and analyses the trends, barriers, and themes shaping the emerging legally binding instrument. The paper considers the discussion surrounding the Options Paper as presented by the INC Secretariat and United Nations Environmental Program based upon written submissions received by UN member states prior to the second session of negotiations. These include potential elements the future treaty text may include—namely objectives, core obligations, and implementation and monitoring measures. At the second session of negotiations, progress towards consensus on these items was severely lacking. We draw on close observations via event ethnography of participants during the negotiations and document analysis. We conclude by looking towards the third round of negotiations by discussing the ongoing ‘dance’ of sorts as submissions are being asked of member states and like-minded groups to contribute to the zero draft treaty text.

Environmental Protection through Criminal Law Practical Parallelism Between Directive 2008/99/EC and Albanian Criminal Law

Environmental crime is the fourth largest criminal activity in the world, after drug trafficking, human trafficking and falsification, growing between 5%-7% per year (Assessment from Interpol of the United Nations Environment Programme). Our criminal code provides numerous of offenses with a focus on environmental protection. These criminal acts, regardless of the immediate needs for investigation and prosecution, have been not taken seriously rather in investigation and further in judgment. This is due to various factors, among the most important being the neglect from almost all responsible structures on environment protection. Today, as the consequences of these crimes have taken an unstoppable consequence, the focus of policymakers and legislative body, must turn to environmental protection through various mechanisms, but especially through criminal sanctions. Within this protection, which has already reached the levels of a challenge, there is a need for new legal provisions. In this regard, in this paper, we address shortly the legal regulation and evolution of environmental crimes in Albania, various aspects of the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes in Albania, referring to statistics, analyzing them and drawing recommendations, which are still valid and more, taking into consideration the initiation of work for drafting the New Penal Code, as well as the practical parallelism between Directive 2008/99/EC on environmental protection through criminal law and Albanian criminal law in environmental protection.
 
 Received: 20 December 2023 / Accepted: 29 February 2024 / Published: 5 March 2024

Business In (Action): The International Chamber of Commerce and Climate Change from Stockholm to Rio

This paper engages with the literature that has looked at the historical response to climate change among industries positioned to have had a far-reaching impact on changing the course of the climate crisis. While much of the historical research in this domain has focused on the role of big oil companies, the utility industry and conservative think tanks in the manufacturing of doubt regarding climate science and opposing ambitions climate policies, our focus is on the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – the world’s largest transnational business association. Unlike individual multinational corporations, the ICC developed a close ties and collaborations with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which made ICC positioned to influence international policy discussions. This study finds that the ICC developed a dual strategy, which set aside climate change as the focus for discussion and business action. One strategy, led by ICC Environment Committee, involved intense collaboration with the United Nations and developing a business agenda for sustainable development. At the same time, the creation of the International Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988 and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change (INC) in 1991, gave rise to a parallel strategy, led by ICC’s related oil companies. As this study finds, the ICC’s Energy Committee developed close ties to the Global Climate Coalition, a front group designed to combat the scientific evidence of climate change. The paper concludes that the ICC was able to delay meaningful regulatory response to climate change the between 1988-1992 by forming a broad coalition of competing interests and collaborating with agencies established under the auspices of the United Nations.

『탄소제로 보험동맹(NZIA)』가입 사업자의 미국 반독점법 위반 문제

ESG management is becoming a mainstream trend in corporate management in all industries. In the environmental sector of ESG, there is a global consensus on the need to reduce carbon emissions to fight the climate crisis, and a wide variety of initiatives have been proposed. The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is one such initiative that has formed sector-specific organizations across the financial industry and set out guidelines for action to achieve collective goals. In the insurance sector, the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA) was launched. The NZIA started in July 2021 with eight large insurance companies as members. At one point, the number of members reached 30 as more and more insurers realized that ESG management was an essential requirement for corporate sustainability. However, in May 2023, 23 U.S. states warned NZIA member insurers that they would likely violate U.S. antitrust laws if they conducted business under NZIA guidelines. As of February 10, 2024, only 11 companies remained in the alliance. Korean insurers Samsung Fire and Maritime and Shinhan Life have already withdrawn, leaving K.B. Insurance as the only remaining member of the NZIA. This situation involves several complex issues and is more than just a matter of the number of NZIA member companies rising and falling. For example, if an insured seeks fire insurance, can member insurers refuse to underwrite the risk because the insured is a carbon-emitting company? Would an insurance company be sanctioned as a boycott or business entity of illegal cartel conduct under U.S. antitrust law? Will antitrust enforcement extend beyond insurance to banking and asset managers? Is this a political move by the U.S. Republican Party in the run-up to the presidential election or a solid legal judgment? Is it part of a U.S. context that has seen repeated withdrawals from and accessions to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and anti-ESG legislation on a state-by-state basis?
 There are so many complex factors in these questions that it’s difficult to determine a definitive answer. However, leading global insurance companies see the potential for antitrust violations as a severe legal risk. This article examines the rise and fall of the NZIA, ESG trends and backlash, and the potential for antitrust violations in the insurance business, which is the only financial industry exempt from federal antitrust laws. This is an issue of extraterritorial application of antitrust law, but it also introduces the position of E.U. Competition Law and the TFEU, which are critical of the attitude of the 23 U.S. states. Art.125 Mutual Agreement in the Korean Insurance Business Act and Art.3 Application to Acts Conducted Overseas, Art.56 International Cooperation of the Fair Trade Commission, Art.116 Legitimate Acts under Statutes or Regulations in Korean Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act do not solve the problem.
 The question of whether NZIA members would violate U.S. antitrust laws is currently unanswered. And significant variables such as the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, the policies of the Republican Party, the global trend of pro-ESG, and the possibility of sudden litigation risk should be noted. Whether you win or lose on the merits, antitrust litigation in the U.S. is an arduous process that no business entities wants to go through.

The One Health Concept.

The concept of One Health has been developed as the appreciation that human health is intricately connected to those of other animals and the environment that they inhabit. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and noticeable effects of climate change have encouraged national and international cooperation to apply One Health strategies to address key issues of health and welfare. The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals have established targets for health and wellbeing, clean water and sanitation, climate action, as well as sustainability in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The One Health Quadripartite comprises the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH-formerly OIE), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). There are six areas of focus which are Laboratory services, Control of zoonotic diseases, Neglected tropical diseases, Antimicrobial resistance, Food safety and Environmental health. This article discusses the concept of One Health by considering examples of infectious diseases and environmental issues under each of those six headings. Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists and their colleagues working in diagnostic and research laboratories have a key role to play in applying the One Health approach to key areas of healthcare in the 21st Century.