There is an air of suspense in Busanin South Korea. There is no talk of a new action film, but of something much more important: the future of our Planet. Right here, in fact, the fate of the plastic, with the latest round of negotiations for a global treaty against pollution from this petroleum derivative.
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Until December 1st, delegates from all over the world will be engaged in a real tug of war, with the aim of reaching an international agreement legally binding. At stake is the health of our planet, suffocated by a tide of plastic that threatens ecosystems and our own health.
Greenpeace and WWF, together with millions of citizens, are rooting for an ambitious treaty, which imposes a drastic reduction in plastic production, the elimination of disposable products and environmental protection. But it won’t be easy: plastic lobbies and divisions between countries risk dashing hopes of a future free from plastic pollution.
Nearly 3 million people are calling for an ambitious treaty
On the eve of this decisive round of negotiations, Greenpeace, WWF and the movement Break Free From Plastic they delivered to governments a petition signed by almost 3 million people around the world. A clear message: we want a treaty that is not limited to empty words, but that imposes concrete actions to reduce plastic production, eliminate single-use and start a transition towards a circular economy.
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The key demands of the petition
- Cut plastic production by at least 75% by 2040. We cannot continue to produce plastic at the current rate if we truly want to protect the climate, health and communities.
- Force multinationals to sell more products in bulk and with reusable packaging. It’s time to say enough to disposable products and promote more sustainable consumption models.
- Help developing countries transition to a circular economy. Rich countries must do their part by offering financial and technological support to the most vulnerable countries.
- Giving a voice to those most affected by plastic pollution. Indigenous peoples, vulnerable communities and workers must be involved in planning a pollution-free future.
Recycling is not enough
Greenpeace and WWF have long denounced the limits of recycling as the only solution. Despite efforts, the actual recycling rate is still very low and many countries, including Italy, they massively export plastic wasteoften to countries with inadequate infrastructure.
“Against plastic pollution, recycling is not enough,” says Greenpeace. “We must reduce production and consumption“. A paradigm shift is needed, which places the reduction of virgin plastic production at the center and the promotion of consumption models based on reuse and reduction of packaging.
The divisions between countries
One of the main obstacles to reaching an ambitious agreement is represented by divisions between countries. As the EU and other countries push for a reduction in plastic production, fossil fuel producing countriessuch as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Russia, they oppose any limits on production.
Even China, despite being one of the largest plastic producers in the world, has opposed a treaty that imposes obligations to reduce production. Beijing, in fact, continues to consider itself a “developing country” and .
An opportunity not to be missed
The COP29 in Baku, which ended a few days ago, once again showed the difficulties of reaching an ambitious global climate agreement. In Busan, world leaders have the opportunity to demonstrate that international cooperation is still possiblereaching a strong and binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
“The future is in the hands of the governments gathered in Busan,” declares Greenpeace. “We need an ambitious agreement to protect our health, our communities, the climate and the planet.”
WWF underlines the urgency of action: “Without significant interventions, it is expected that by 2040 the amount of plastic released into the environment each year will double“.