How do countries intend to tackle existing plastic pollution?

Discussions on existing plastic pollution emphasise the widespread presence of plastic waste across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, highlighting the environmental, economic and societal challenges it poses. This pollution encompasses various plastic types, including single-use plastics, microplastics and macroplastics originating from land-based activities, ocean-based sources and everyday consumer products. The consequences extend beyond environmental impacts, affecting economies through cleanup and waste management costs, and disrupting industries like tourism and fisheries due to degraded coastal areas and marine ecosystems.

In response to these challenges, stakeholders engage in negotiations aimed at combatting plastic pollution comprehensively. Strategies involve preventive measures such as reducing single-use plastics, promoting proper waste management and adopting sustainable alternatives. Cleanup efforts target removing plastic debris from natural environments, while waste management initiatives prioritise recycling and disposal methods that minimise environmental impacts. Public awareness campaigns play a key role in educating communities about plastic pollution and encouraging responsible behaviours to prevent further littering and pollution.

International cooperation is essential in addressing existing plastic pollution effectively. Parties are encouraged to assess and prioritise accumulation zones and hotspots most affected by plastic pollution, especially in marine environments, and implement mitigation and remediation measures, including clean-up activities. Engagement of local populations is emphasised to ensure safe and environmentally sound remediation efforts. Additionally, sharing information on common plastic pollution types and behaviours aims to raise awareness and prevent further plastic pollution, particularly in coastal and freshwater areas.

Overall, addressing existing plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach involving international cooperation, preventive measures, cleanup activities, waste management, public awareness campaigns and adoption of sustainable practices. The focus is on identifying pollution hotspots, engaging local communities and promoting responsible behaviours to mitigate the adverse impacts of plastic pollution on ecosystems, economies and societies.

The European Union (EU), Australia, African group and the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) added to the strength of the provisions through their submissions. While the EU added terrestrial and freshwater sources to be prioritised for identification and other interventions, Australia focused on collection of data regarding existing pollution to enhance monitoring. The PSIDS expressed their support for traditional knowledge of indigenous people and local knowledge systems. The African group called for a stronger text by proposing to add an element about health of other species that are affected due to plastic pollution.

The United States did not agree to identify problematic sectors contributing to existing plastic pollution. Neither did it agree to harmonised indicators to identify accumulation zones, hotspots and sectors. India proposed the formation of a subsidiary body to assess the existing levels of plastic pollution in each
country and the financial resources required to mitigate and remediate existing plastic pollution.

Iran highlighted the role of developed countries and their historical responsibility for existing plastic pollution, while Russia expressed its desire to focus only on legacy plastic pollution.

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