Freshwater focus for our planet's future

Dr Shaneel Chandra wears a white lab coat and stands in a laboratory.
CQUniversity researcher Dr Shaneel Chandra is helping shape global environmental policy through a United Nations-led research and assessment program that provides the scientific evidence needed to protect the world's freshwater ecosystems and secure healthier waterways for future generations.

Key points

  • CQUniversity researcher Dr Shaneel Chandra served as Lead Author for the Freshwater chapter (6) of the United Nations Environment Programme's Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7), helping assess the state of the world's freshwater ecosystems and identify pathways for action.
  • The report highlights urgent global threats to freshwater biodiversity, while demonstrating how science-led policies can restore rivers, wetlands and catchments, improve water quality and strengthen climate resilience.
  • The research informs environmental policy at local, national and international levels, supporting healthier waterways, protecting the Great Barrier Reef catchment and contributing to global sustainable development. 

Our Research

Dr Shaneel Chandra
Academic with the Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) and the College of Science and Sustainability. Dr Chandra specialises in:

  • analytical chemistry
  • electrochemistry and electrochemical sensing
  • sensor and nanosensor development
  • water quality
  • pollutant screening and remediation
  • environmental policy and the science-policy interface

As Lead Author of the Freshwater chapter for GEO-7, he coordinated and synthesised international scientific evidence to support global freshwater policy. 

  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – publisher of the Global Environment Outlook.
  • Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) – international scientific assessment involving 287 scientists from around the world.
  • CQUniversity Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) – research expertise in freshwater, estuarine and coastal ecosystems. 
  • United Nations Environment Programme. Global Environment Outlook 7 (GEO-7) (2025).
  • Dr Shaneel Chandra served as Lead Author for the Freshwater chapter, contributing to the United Nations' flagship environmental assessment.

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