Antibiotic resistance is a global threat to human and animal health, requiring urgent action to reduce the risks posed by antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. This Opinion article discusses the main knowledge gaps, future research needs, and policy options for addressing antibiotic resistance in the environment. ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) can persist and spread in the environment, especially in areas with anthropogenic pressure, such as wastewater systems, pharmaceutical effluents, and aquaculture facilities. These sites contribute to the spread of ARGs and ARB, which can lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in clinically relevant bacteria. However, current risk assessment models are inadequate to evaluate the effects of antibiotics and ARGs on resistance emergence and selection, especially in non-clinical environments. The spread of ARB is driven by mechanisms such as horizontal gene transfer, genetic mutation, and selective pressures from antimicrobial compounds. The environmental factors that influence the spread of antibiotic resistance are not well understood, and there is a need for standardized methods to assess resistance in environmental samples. Current methods for resistance testing in clinical settings are not directly applicable to environmental samples, and there is a need for standardized criteria for defining resistance in environmental bacteria. This includes the use of bacterial indicators such as Escherichia coli and faecal enterococci, which are commonly used to monitor water quality and are well characterized in terms of antibiotic resistance. The importance of global databases for tracking antibiotic resistance is highlighted, as current data are insufficient to assess the distribution and abundance of ARB and ARGs at national, regional, or global levels. There is a need for standardized guidelines for resistance testing, including the number of isolates, diversity of species, and the targeted resistance phenotypes and genotypes. These guidelines would enable direct comparisons between different environmental compartments and establish links with clinical data. Additionally, the development of integrated databases and the use of advanced techniques such as whole-genome and transcriptome analyses can help in understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance and its evolution. The risk assessment of antibiotic resistance in the environment involves evaluating the potential of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics to promote the development of ARB and the capacity of resistance determinants to transfer from anthropogenic sources to human commensal or pathogenic bacteria. Mathematical models are needed to predict the spread of resistance determinants and the environmental conditions that promote their evolution. Management and policy options include the identification of critical control points, the reduction of antibiotic usage, and the improvement of wastewater treatment technologies to mitigate the spread of ARB and ARGs. The development of national and international guidelines for the biological risk assessment of antibiotic resistance is a strategic priority to address the public health threat posed by antibiotic resistance. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the molecular, evolutionary, and ecological mechanisms associated with the acquisition and spread of antibiotic resistance, as well as the implementation of effective management strategies to prevent the emergence and spread of resistance.Antibiotic resistance is a global threat to human and animal health, requiring urgent action to reduce the risks posed by antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. This Opinion article discusses the main knowledge gaps, future research needs, and policy options for addressing antibiotic resistance in the environment. ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) can persist and spread in the environment, especially in areas with anthropogenic pressure, such as wastewater systems, pharmaceutical effluents, and aquaculture facilities. These sites contribute to the spread of ARGs and ARB, which can lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in clinically relevant bacteria. However, current risk assessment models are inadequate to evaluate the effects of antibiotics and ARGs on resistance emergence and selection, especially in non-clinical environments. The spread of ARB is driven by mechanisms such as horizontal gene transfer, genetic mutation, and selective pressures from antimicrobial compounds. The environmental factors that influence the spread of antibiotic resistance are not well understood, and there is a need for standardized methods to assess resistance in environmental samples. Current methods for resistance testing in clinical settings are not directly applicable to environmental samples, and there is a need for standardized criteria for defining resistance in environmental bacteria. This includes the use of bacterial indicators such as Escherichia coli and faecal enterococci, which are commonly used to monitor water quality and are well characterized in terms of antibiotic resistance. The importance of global databases for tracking antibiotic resistance is highlighted, as current data are insufficient to assess the distribution and abundance of ARB and ARGs at national, regional, or global levels. There is a need for standardized guidelines for resistance testing, including the number of isolates, diversity of species, and the targeted resistance phenotypes and genotypes. These guidelines would enable direct comparisons between different environmental compartments and establish links with clinical data. Additionally, the development of integrated databases and the use of advanced techniques such as whole-genome and transcriptome analyses can help in understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance and its evolution. The risk assessment of antibiotic resistance in the environment involves evaluating the potential of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics to promote the development of ARB and the capacity of resistance determinants to transfer from anthropogenic sources to human commensal or pathogenic bacteria. Mathematical models are needed to predict the spread of resistance determinants and the environmental conditions that promote their evolution. Management and policy options include the identification of critical control points, the reduction of antibiotic usage, and the improvement of wastewater treatment technologies to mitigate the spread of ARB and ARGs. The development of national and international guidelines for the biological risk assessment of antibiotic resistance is a strategic priority to address the public health threat posed by antibiotic resistance. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the molecular, evolutionary, and ecological mechanisms associated with the acquisition and spread of antibiotic resistance, as well as the implementation of effective management strategies to prevent the emergence and spread of resistance.