Plastic pollution prevention and control usher in a historic moment

On March 2, local time, at the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.

The draft resolution has been adopted

Judging from the content of this resolution, the resolution has no specific content on the prevention and control of plastic pollution, but is preparing for countries to coordinate plastic pollution prevention and control policies for a period of time in the future, and to update the plastic pollution prevention and control agreement in 2024

This resolution decided to establish an intergovernmental negotiating committee based on three preliminary draft resolutions from different countries

After the meeting, in response to the 2024 version of the agreement that will be negotiated by all parties, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said that the agency will actively support the relevant work of countries and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee

Positive reviews from major institutions

Although there is no specific technical plan, after the meeting, various international organizations still said that the approval of this agreement paves the way for future international cooperation on plastic pollution, which is a milestone

According to statistics from the United Nations Environment Programme, the world's plastic production has soared from 2 million tons in 1950 to 348 million tons in 2017.

UNEP also said the agency would convene a forum at the end of 2022, open to all stakeholders, along with the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to share new findings and best practices around the world on the fight against plastic pollution.

　　“While negotiating this internationally binding agreement, UNEP will work with any willing government and business along the value chain to move away from the production and use of single-use plastics, as well as mobilize private funding to eliminate the need for research and new Obstacles to circular economy investment,

　　Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, said that multilateral environmental treaties are an important part of the global environmental governance system and the main framework for addressing the three major global environmental crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution

　　Specific plans are yet to be determined

　　At present, there are three main directions for specific plastic pollution prevention and control programs

　　The first of the three draft proposals, proposed by Rwanda and Peru, proposes a “full life cycle” approach to plastics, addressing plastic production and waste management, as well as plastic pollution in any environment

　　In addition, a legally binding commercial declaration has been signed by global material suppliers, retailers, waste management companies and financial institutions, including Borealis, Exco Petrochemical giants such as SunMobil, Shell and Dow Chemical