The Urgent Case for a Comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty

The world is plagued by an incessant problem, throwaway plastic. This kind of plastic is taking a serious toll on the environment, biodiversity, and health. In fact, the increase in plastic production by oil and gas activity is leading to social injustice, making the climate crisis even more pronounced. Plastic experts assert that plastic is nearly omnipresent in modern society, and that almost 99% of it is petroleum-based plastic. Companies like Unilever, Nestle, and Coca-Cola, in conjunction with oil firms such as ExxonMobil, continue to promote single-use plastic models, disregarding the harm it causes and the scope of the problem. Despite the many risks associated with plastic production and its entire lifecycle, there is an opportunity, thanks to the negotiations that started in 2022, to take significant strides towards the reduction of plastic pollution and mitigate the negative impacts of plastic.

The Global Plastics Treaty, negotiated between 2022-2024, is a significant opportunity to mitigate the global plastic crisis. The treaty should reflect four standards; (1) end plastic pollution, (2) ease and limit the production of plastics, including a phase-out of virgin plastic production, (3) ensure a fair and comprehensive transition to zero-waste, low-carbon, toxic-free, and reuse-based economies, and (4) have characteristics based on human rights that reduce inequality, prioritize human health, direct towards environment protection besides prioritizing justice in any decision-making process. A strong and ambitious Global Plastics Treaty would go a long way toward mitigating this plastic crisis, but the opposition from petrochemical industry corporations and governments is significant, and the global movement must remain steadfast in their objective.

The plastic crisis entails not only the production of plastic but also its lifecycle, including environmental pollution and harm to human health. As a result, it is crucial to push for a comprehensive treaty, that factors in the complete lifecycle of plastic. It is also essential to work towards understanding the effects of plastic pollution on society and the environment, and it is mandatory to work towards finding solutions to the different challenges associated with plastic pollution.

The plastic pollution crisis affects everyone, not just a few people. It is imperative that the Global Plastics Treaty is realized for everyone’s sake. Reducing the production and use of single-use plastic would greatly benefit the health of humans and our planet’s health. It seems as though this landmark treaty will hopefully be passed, but only if activists, supporters, lawmakers, environmentalists, and communities worldwide keep up the pressure.

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