MEDIA: Global efforts intensify to tackle plastic pollution crisis

A recent report from the US federal Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory highlighted alarming projections: plastic production could triple by 2060, with global carbon emission potentially growing to 20% by 2050 from this industry alone.

This issue gained international attention at the 2022 UN Environmental Assembly, prompting a call for a binding agreement to combat plastic pollution. Fast forward to 2024, global leaders will convene in Canada this week to discuss progress toward a historic treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution.

This treaty, slated for agreement by year-end, could rival the Paris Agreement's impact on climate action. However, negotiations face challenges from petrochemical-producing nations resisting production limits.

The "High-Ambition Coalition" pushes for ambitious targets, while industry groups advocate for post-production solutions like recycling. With stakes high and diverse stakeholders involved, the outcome of these talks could shape the future of environmental protection and sustainability efforts worldwide.