International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Towards a sustainable phosphorus future for freshwater and coastal ecosystems: Join the uPcycle project inception meeting

10 Mar 2024 | by m-duque@unesco.org
Phosphorus is an essential component of fertilizers and, therefore, critical for the global food system. However, unsustainable use of phosphorus can lead to water pollution. Food security and healthy freshwater ecosystems are placed in jeopardy by poor phosphorus management. Find out about UNEP Freshwater Challenge, including its mission to protect lakes through the UN Decade, and why concerns about the environmental impact of phosphorus are mounting. The major challenges and solutions to meeting the Global Phosphorus Challenge are detailed in the science-led Our Phosphorus Future report.

The “Towards Sustainable Phosphorus Cycles in Lake Catchments” (uPcycle) project is a two-year project (2024-2026). uPcycle will bring together global communities to deliver a sustainable phosphorus future to protect our freshwater and coastal ecosystems. Our mission is to widen the scope and accelerate the development of phosphorus emissions reduction programs globally. In doing so uPcycle will develop a new scalable approach for nature-positive sustainable phosphorus management. This approach will champion reuse and recycling innovations to address biodiversity loss, water quality degradation, and societal impacts across freshwater and coastal ecosystems. uPcycle recognises that lakes are at the front line of phosphorus pollution yet clarity on impacts and solutions is urgently needed. uPcycle will address this need whilst fostering an inclusive approach bringing together communities from basin to global scale.

During the uPcycle Inception Meeting, the assistants can discover how the project will develop tools and resources to implement sustainable phosphorus management for lake catchments globally. They can also learn about our demonstration catchment in Chile, meet the project team, and discover opportunities to get involved.

The inception meeting will be held virtually on March 27th, 2024 (13:30-16:30 GMT). Register online here.

About the project 

The uPcycle project is funded the Global the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture with support of an international group of project partners and the uPcycle co-financing community.

For more information, please contact Dr Will Brownlie (upcycle@ceh.ac.uk), visit the dedicated project page on iwlearn.net and visit the project website.