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Is the global agreement on the termination of plastic pollution?
In Geneva, from August 5 to August 14, representatives of about 176 countries, including the EU, are discussing the problem in order to set mandatory goals to reduce the production of plastics.
“We really have to undertake urgent. The problem cannot be solved only by waste management. We need to take systematic actions throughout the supply chain, which will include the production of a smaller number of plastics, especially plastic, which are not necessary for society. ” Richard Thomson, professor of marine biology at the University of Plimut, said EuronewsHeberilized up to 100 people with the greatest influence of 2025 in time for its work in microplastics and the coordinator of the scientific coalition for an effective plastic condition.
On the other hand, oil and gas exporters, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Russia, with the support of China, want to limit the volume of the text and focus on waste management and utilization.
“Some countries are concerned about economic consequences, especially if they are countries that export oil and gas, which is the main source of carbon for plastics. In addition, if a country that produces a lot of plastic products is worried about potential economic consequences, ” – – -as a country that produces many plastic products, is worried about potential economic consequences,” -this The scientist adds.
The European Commission, which is involved in negotiations, calls for an agreement that will cover the entire plastics cycle, from production to failure. It also supports the gradual abolition of certain plastics, which are dangerous to health and the environment.
460 million tons
Richard Thompson invites negotiators to take measures so that they can “They look into the eyes of the next generation.”
“Plastic pollution is a global environmental problem. Plastic infects our planet, literally from deeper oceans to our highest mountains.The scientist says.
“The microplastics with which I passed most of my career are now present in the air that we breathe in the water that we drink, and the food that we eat,” – – – – – – – – – – – Adds.
Each year, 460 million tons of plastic are produced.
81% of plastic products turn out to be a waste in less than a year.
From these waste, only 9% are processed, 20% are cremated, more than 20% are discarded in nature and almost half ends on landfills.
Ambitious goals
According to Richard Thomson, an ambitious condition should “This applies to the entire Life cycle of plastics.” It also requires location “16,000 chemicals used in the production of plastic, 4000 of which are potentially harmful. ”
In his opinion, the contract should establish the criteria for viability for the design of plastic products that can be re -used or have a longer service life, contain less microplastics and can be processed in a circular economy. To identify these products, it would be appropriate to identify these products.
Finally, this emphasizes the need to think about proper financing so that the poorest countries are not excluded.
Time is over: negotiations with the participation of representatives of 176 states of the UN member states, NGOs, scientists and industrialists expire on August 14.
The process began in March 2022. At the United Nations on the Environmental Environment Convention, 175 countries adopted a resolution in agreement of the mandatory text to combat plastic pollution.
The fifth negotiation session at the end of 2024 in Pusan, South Korea, which was supposed to be the last, could not reach an agreement.