SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13: Climate Action
Institutions: Ministry of Environment; Ministry of Urban Development; Ministry of Water Resources
The UNEP Frontiers 2025 report identifies four emerging environmental issues with the potential to become global crises if not addressed early. Frozen Pandora’s Box warns that thawing permafrost could release dormant microbes, including potential pathogens, while also containing genetic resources valuable for medicine and biotechnology. Clearing the Path highlights the ecological and social benefits of removing obsolete dams, restoring river flows, and supporting biodiversity. Demographic Challenge examines how a rapidly ageing population, projected to rise from 10 percent in 2024 to 16 percent by 2050, is increasingly exposed to environmental risks such as floods, heatwaves, and pollution, urging age-friendly, resilient cities. Forgotten but Not Gone shows how severe floods can remobilize legacy pollutants like heavy metals and persistent organic compounds from sediments, contaminating food chains and ecosystems.
The report emphasizes that early recognition of these threats is vital for designing preventive measures that protect public health, ecosystems, and urban resilience. Proactive policies, coupled with nature-based and technological solutions, can mitigate risks before they escalate into crises.
Follow the full report here: