Summary of Key Messages and Action Points

Introduction to Plastics Pollution

Plastics pollution is a complex problem spanning the entire plastic life cycle, from resource extraction, production, and transportation to product use, waste management, and mismanagement. Emissions occur throughout this cycle, including harmful chemicals, microplastics, greenhouse gases, and litter. Science reveals the significant harm this pollution causes to ecosystems, human health, and the economy. Plastics pollution is placed at the core of the triple planetary crisis identified by the UN: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Addressing these crises requires understanding their interconnectedness and plastics' role in exacerbating them.

Current State of Plastic Production and Pollution

Plastic production has surpassed the planet's capacity to handle it, leading to widespread environmental, social, and economic threats. Waste management alone is insufficient to resolve this crisis; intervention is needed across the entire life cycle of plastic, beginning with production. There are several urgent actions that should be taken to address these problems effectively.

Key Action Points for the Global Plastics Treaty

1. Ambitious and Legally Binding Reduction Targets:

o Establish global and national reduction targets for primary plastic production, starting from the top of the waste hierarchy. Scientific models demonstrate that reduction in production is critical to ending plastic pollution.

2. Regulation of Hazardous Chemicals:

o A hazard-based global regulatory framework is needed to manage the 16,000 chemicals used in plastics production, 4,200 of which have known hazardous properties. Only 1% of these chemicals are currently regulated globally. A comprehensive regulatory approach is crucial for preventing the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment.

3. Phase-out of Non-essential Plastics:

o Global and national phase-outs should target non-essential plastics, chemicals, and polymers, including single-use products and harmful additives. These items should be evaluated based on their necessity for health, safety, and societal function, with alternatives sought where applicable.

4. Transparency and Mandatory Reporting:

o Develop transparency criteria for monitoring and reporting obligations throughout the entire plastic supply chain. This includes harmonized standards, compliance mechanisms, and mandatory reporting of production and chemical data, enabling ongoing assessment of the treaty's effectiveness.

5. Addressing Micro and Nanoplastics:

o Include micro and nanoplastics in the treaty to prevent their formation and release. These materials contribute a significant portion of global plastics pollution and cannot be effectively removed once they enter the environment.

6. Establish a Scientific Body:

o A dedicated science body should be created to ensure treaty targets remain scientifically informed and adaptive over time. This body must be free of financial and conflict-of-interest influences, and it should guide treaty updates based on evolving scientific understanding.

Financial Mechanisms

The need for financial mechanisms to support these actions is essential, although detailed development of these mechanisms was not expanded upon in this summary. However, securing financial support is a critical aspect of ensuring successful implementation.

Conclusion

The Global Plastics Treaty must be comprehensive, addressing not just waste management but the entire plastic life cycle. Action is needed to reduce plastic production, regulate hazardous chemicals, phase out non-essential plastics, and increase transparency. A dedicated scientific body is crucial to adapt the treaty as new challenges and scientific developments arise.