Mar 4
Countries make pledge to stop plastic pollution globally
Countries make pledge to stop plastic pollution globally: An amount of 175 countries have signed a “historic” solution to establish an international legally binding agreement to put a halt on plastic pollution, “the most significant multilateral deal since the Paris accord”.
Heads of state, environment ministers as well as additional representatives made the commitment at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5). It is the world’s topmost level decision-making body on the environment and its aim is to end plastic pollution & form a legally binding agreement by 2024.
It will focus on the complete lifecycle of plastics, which include the production, design & disposal.
The resolution is based on 3 beginning draft resolutions from multiple nations and has set up an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) which will begin its work in 2022.
The UN Environment Programme will assemble a forum at the end of 2022 that is open to all stakeholders to contribute knowledge as well as best practices in various parts of the world.
Plastic production skyrocketed from 2 million tonnes in 1950 to 348 million tonnes in 2017, which became a worldwide industry worth $522.6 billion (£392.5bn) & is forecast to double in capacity by 2040.
Still, just 9% is recycled whilst the huge majority builds up in landfills or the natural environment. These materials further disintegrate into microplastics which pollute the human food chain, freshwater systems & air.
By 2050, greenhouse gas emissions connected with plastic manufacturing, use & disposal would account for 15% of approved emissions, under the goal of restricting global warming to 1.5°C.
“Today marks a triumph by planet earth over single use plastics. This is the most significant environmental multilateral deal since the Paris accord. It is an insurance policy for this generation & future ones so they may live with plastic and not be doomed by it.
“Let it be clear that the INC’s mandate does not grant any stakeholder a 2-year pause. In parallel to negotiations over an international binding agreement, UNEP will work with any willing government & business across the value chain to shift away from single-use plastics, as well as to mobilise private finance and remove barriers to investments in research and in a new circular economy.” Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP announced.
Countries make pledge to stop plastic pollution globally
