The fifth United Nations (U.N.) Environment Assembly concluded with a bit of good news: 14 resolutions were adopted that align with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, one of which commits to putting an end to plastic pollution. The “end plastic pollution” resolution that was unanimously approved by 175 member nations lays the groundwork for a treaty “that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic from source to sea,” according to a fact sheet. There is much to consider when reducing and eliminating plastic waste, including plastic reusability, addressing microplastics that have wreaked havoc on ecosystems, and finding a way to sustainably produce and consume plastic goods. The agreement, which now must be created, will be adopted by 2024.
U.N. Environmental Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen pointed to just how invested so many countries are in combatting rampant plastic pollution. “Since September 2021, according to the WWF Global Plastic Navigator, 154 countries have expressed an interest in negotiating a new global agreement on marine plastic pollution,” Andersen said. “Even as we continue to flesh out a global agreement, it is clear that we cannot put the brakes on action to address plastic pollution. This is such a big challenge, we need to come at it, through different tracks, all converging on the same road – towards altering our relationship with plastics, therefore benefitting the natural world, in particular, our oceans and water bodies, and human health.”
Much can go into the “end plastic pollution” agreement, and already advocates are calling for stringent global standards that incentivize doing the right thing when it comes to plastic production and disposal, and levying penalties to member nations who ignore the agreement altogether. According to the UNEP, global plastic production stands at around 300 million tons annually, which is almost the equivalent of the weight of the entire human population. Eight million of those tons annually end up in the ocean, and plastic makes up about 80% of all marine debris. On land, plastic dumps like the unregulated Dandora landfill in Nairobi presents a danger to pickers who work at the waste facility as well as the community due to the rampant burning of plastic.
Among UNEP’s goals is the hope of limiting greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastics to just 15% of all allowed emissions by 2050. Member nations are also hoping to cut down on plastics polluting the ocean, reduce the amount of virgin plastics being made by 55% by 2040, and, through a “shift to the circular economy,” create 700,000 jobs that align with more eco-friendly plastics goals. In addition to the “end plastic pollution” resolution, UNEP adopted a variety of resolutions aimed at creating a more eco-friendly, just planet, including resolutions on “the sound management of chemicals and waste,” “sustainable lake management,” and “sustainable and resilient infrastructure.”