A Toxic-Free-World
    Why do we need to act?

    Humanity faces a triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Contributing to pollution, chemical substances are added to almost all products we use in our daily life. In fact, in the period from 2017 to 2030 alone, the sales of chemicals are expected to double, reaching 6.6 trillion US dollars (UNEP (2019): Global Chemicals Outlook II from Legacies to Innovative Solutions – Synthesis Report (2019)). Many of these substances do not only contaminate the environment but are toxic to human health, especially for children. 

    The “Oscar” for Best Policies

    The Future Policy Award showcases legislation and policies that create better living conditions for current and future generations. The aim of the award is to raise global awareness for these exemplary laws and policies, and speed up policy action towards a healthy planet and just, sustainable and peaceful societies. The Future Policy Award is the first and only award that celebrates policies for the benefit of present and future generations on an international level. Each year, the World Future Council focuses on one topic on which policy progress is particularly urgent and awards laws, policies and legal frameworks that are inspiring, innovative and effective.

    Towards a Toxic-Free World for Children

    Many substances do not only contaminate the environment but are toxic to human health, especially for children. Due to their light body weight, and on-going physical and mental development, children can be affected already by small amounts of hazardous chemicals. Products explicitly designed for children, like toys or baby feeding bottles contain bisphenol A, plasticisers or brominated flame retardants. With the toy market alone expected to grow to a value of 131 billion US dollars by 2025 (source), it is important to make sure that products marketed for children are safe.

    The Future Policy Award 2023 will therefore take a closer look at policies for a pollution free world, regulating the use of hazardous chemicals in products, with a focus on children and their environment.

    Timeline of events

    • Nominations

      We collect nominations for the best policies across our communication channels.

    • Jury

      The research and evaluation process comes to a close and our Evaluation Report goes out to the Jury, which is composed of internationally renowned experts.

    • Shortlist

      We announce the shortlisted policies via press release.

    • Winners

      We announce the winners of the Future Policy Award via press release.

    • Award Ceremony

      We celebrate the winners of the Future Policy Award with a high-level award ceremony. The ceremony will take place in the context of the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) on the 28th of September in Bonn, Germany.

    • Follow-up

      We communicate the winners directly to decision-makers, supporting them in developing future-just policies.

    The Future Policy Award 2023 is organised by the World Future Council in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) as well as the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Michael Otto Foundation.

    This project is funded by the Federal Environment Agency and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection. The funds are made available by resolution of the German Bundestag.

    The publisher is responsible for the content of this publication. 

    With the support of the Michael Otto Foundation.

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