Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution Faces Challenges

Why in the news?

Over 170 countries are negotiating a treaty to address plastic pollution, with key debates over production limits, financial support, and national regulations, particularly involving India’s stance.

Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution Faces Challenges

Introduction to Global Plastic Pollution:

  • Over 170 countries are negotiating a legally binding global treaty to curb plastic pollution, with a focus on marine pollution.
  • The negotiations, which started in 2022, are set to conclude in 2024 under the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA).
  • Plastic production has soared globally, with a forecasted rise to 700 million tonnes by 2040, causing significant environmental and health hazards.
  • Plastic takes up to 500 years to decompose, and less than 10% is recycled, contributing to microplastics and pollution in rivers and oceans.

Global Plastics Treaty and Its Objectives:

  • Initiative: Involves over 175 UN member nations.
  • Goal: Eliminate plastic pollution globally.
  • Deadline: Aims to finalise a legal document by the end of
  • Objectives:
    • Decrease plastic production.
    • Cut unnecessary plastic uses.
    • Prohibit harmful chemicals.
    • Set recycling targets.

Understanding Plastic Pollution:

  • Global Crisis: Threatens environment, health, and livelihoods.
  • Life-cycle Approach: Impacts all stages, from production to disposal.
  • Single-use Plastics: Include bags, containers, and PET bottles.
  • Microplastics: Tiny particles from various sources like tires, products, and industrial processes.

UN Data on Plastic Pollution:

  • 2,000 garbage trucks of plastic dumped daily.
  • 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems annually.
  • 2 billion tonnes produced since the 1950s; 7 billion tonnes wasted.
  • 85% of recycling is done by informal workers.

OECD Data:

  • 353 million tonnes of plastic waste produced in
  • 9% recycled; 50% in landfills; 19% incinerated.

India Data:

  • India generates 46 million tonnes of plastic waste yearly.
  • 40% of plastic waste remains uncollected.
  • Single-use plastic production increased by 6 million tonnes annually (2019-2021).

United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA):

  • Highest decision-making body on the environment.
  • Includes all 193 UN Member States and key stakeholders.
  • Meets biennially in Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Created in 2012 from the Rio+20 conference.
  • Sets global environmental agenda and policy guidance.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times