The global "plastic restriction order" will be released by the end of 2024
From 28 November to 2 December, in Punta del Este, Uruguay, representatives from governments, the private sector and civil society will begin work on a legally binding international instrument to end plastic, including in the marine environment Pollution, they hope to complete the document by 2024.
Nine months ago, in March 2022, the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly passed the Resolution on Ending Plastic Pollution (Draft), a legally binding resolution aimed at promoting global governance of plastic pollution. The countries entrust the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to convene and manage the INC (first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee) process.
INC-1 negotiators are tasked with developing measures and obligations related to legally binding treaties. Possible measures include extended producer responsibility legislation; subsidies, taxes and duties; and bans or restrictions on specific substances, polymers or products.
The INC Secretariat has prepared an analysis on four main areas needed to transition to a circular economy: eliminating and replacing unnecessary plastics and harmful additives, designing plastic products for reusability and recycling, ensuring product reuse and recycling, and managing plastic pollution in an environmentally responsible manner.
The resolution comes amid a growing plastic crisis that experts say threatens the environment, human health and the economy. Studies show that humans produce around 460 million tonnes of plastic every year, a figure that will triple by 2060 if urgent action is not taken. According to a UNEP study, more than 14 million tons of plastic enter and damage aquatic ecosystems every year, and plastic-related greenhouse gas emissions are expected to increase by 2050 if humans are to limit global warming to 1.5°C. will account for 15% of the total allowable emissions.
Experts say that recycling alone cannot end plastic pollution, and humans need to reduce plastic consumption and production. This leads to what are known as lifecycle methods. As well as managing plastic waste and promoting reuse, it looks at how products are designed, produced and distributed, and tries to reduce the amount of plastic used along the way.
Sheila Aggarwal Khan, Director of UN Environment's Economics Division, said: "We will not recycle or ban us from the plastic pollution crisis. Waste collection and recycling are extremely important, but they must be part of an integrated approach .”
A life-cycle approach could reduce the amount of plastic entering the ocean by more than 80%, saving governments $70 billion by 2040, according to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme. It could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent and create 700,000 jobs.
