The United Nations Environment Programme calls for the promotion of sustainable development of aerospace activities.

April 12th is International Human Space Flight Day. The United Nations Environment Programme issued a statement before this commemorative day, calling on the international community to pay attention to the environmental challenges posed by human space activities, and to promote the sustainable use of outer space. The statement said that the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs jointly analyzed the potential environmental impacts of space activities. Rocket launches and re-entry of spacecraft into the atmosphere may affect the atmospheric chemical composition and damage the ozone layer; the accumulation of orbital debris may increase collision risks, affecting the safety of satellite operations and future space activities; large-scale satellite constellations and orbital debris may also interfere with astronomical observations. The statement emphasizes the importance of "space sustainability", utilizing outer space in a way that protects the space and earth environment in the long term, maintains its safety and usability. Measures include reducing orbital debris, reducing emissions, protecting night sky quality, improving resource utilization efficiency, ensuring the safety of spacecraft re-entering the atmosphere, etc. The statement calls on countries to reduce the environmental impact of space exploration by strengthening scientific research, enhancing monitoring and data sharing, optimizing spacecraft design, and deepening international cooperation. The statement notes that although international agreements like the Outer Space Treaty have established principles to prevent harmful pollution, United Nations agencies, governments, companies, international organizations, etc. are also assisting in the sustainable development of space through the development of guidelines, strict regulations, development of environmental protection technologies, and increased research. However, there is currently no comprehensive global space environmental management framework, and United Nations agencies are working together to fill this governance gap.