Although plastic pollution isn’t a new concern, the scale of it is reaching alarming levels. The EU is determined to tackle plastic waste with the final negotiations for the global treaty to start
The EU (European Union) is making its priorities clear as global plastic pollution continues to rise, detrimentally affecting health and the environment.
A legally binding international agreement to protect the planet
The EU is pushing for a legally binding international agreement that will address the root cause of plastic pollution.
The fifth session of the Z Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) is currently taking place in Busan, South Korea, from 24th November to December 1st, 2024. This is an important event to help reach a global consensus.
It is clear that there is a growing global willingness to act, as 127 countries have already introduced regulations on single-use plastics. This is why now is a more important time than ever for the EU to push for this treaty.
Plastic pollution: An ever-growing crisis
Although plastic pollution isn’t a new concern the scale of it is reaching alarming levels. UNEP data from 2021 has shown that plastic production has reached 400 million tonnes annually, with only a small fraction of this being recycled properly or incinerated.
What happens to plastic not being recycled properly?
The rest of this plastic ends up in landfills or the environment including oceans, rivers and terrestrial ecosystems. It’s estimated that 109 million tonnes of plastic have accumulated in rivers, while 30 million tonnes are already polluting the oceans.
These plastic waste levels are an increasing risk to biodiversity, marine life, and human health, as microplastics make their way up the food chain.
Producing plastic
The damage caused by plastic isn’t just due to how it is recycled; how plastic is compounded in its production process also causes a lot of environmental damage.
The OECD has warned that plastic waste could double to 44 million tonnes annually by 2030, with emissions from plastic production expected to pass 4.3 gigatonnes of C02 equivalent. The EU sees this as an urgent need for global action to both reduce plastic production and prevent its release into the atmosphere.
Plastic waste could double to 44 million tonnes annually by 2030
The EU’s vision for a global plastics treaty
The EU’s vision for a global plastics treaty is built around several key principles to address the plastic crisis at its source.
One of the primary objectives is to reduce the production of primary plastic polymers, which are used to create new plastic products. This will require binding commitments from countries to shift toward more sustainable production practices, including transitioning to circular economy models. In this objective, plastic products would be designed to be reused, recycled, or repurposed, reducing the need for new plastic production.
Another key objective of the EU’s global plastics treaty is the elimination of harmful chemicals in plastics, a lot of which contribute to pollution.
The EU also advocates for stricter bans on problematic products, such as single-use plastics, which are a major contributor to plastic waste. A strong focus is put on intentionally added microplastics, which are often found in products like cosmetics and cleaning agents and can easily enter the environment through waste and runoff.
In addition to addressing production and product design, the EU calls for mechanisms to ensure that those responsible for plastic pollution pay their fair share.
This “Polluter Pays Principle” would allocate financial responsibility for plastic waste management, including developing infrastructure for recycling and waste disposal.
The EU understands that while strong and legally binding measures are important, it’s just as important that the treaty supports a just transition.
Countries will need to implement solutions tailored to their specific circumstances, ensuring that developing nations have the resources and support needed to meet new obligations.
A global effort
The upcoming negotiations in Busan are an important moment in the effort to end plastic pollution, and the EU remains committed to working with global partners to make sure a strong, enforceable treaty is adopted by the end of 2024.
The EU’s push for a global plastics treaty is a crucial step toward mitigating the environmental and health risks of plastic pollution.
The treaty hopes to create a more sustainable and circular global plastics economy by making concrete commitments to reduce plastic production, eliminate harmful chemicals, and ensure financial accountability.
