News & Views
Sharing movement knowledge, events, action and opinions
Global Plastics Outlook, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
June 21, 2022. Global plastics production has grown relentlessly in recent decades. Plastics help us preserve food, insulate constructions, use electronics and make vehicles more fuel-efficient, among other things. Yet, the sheer magnitude of plastic consumption in our societies results in a high production-related carbon footprint, high volumes of waste, persistent pollution, and harm to wildlife and the ecosystem.
In recent years, growing awareness of ubiquitous plastic pollution has steered public opinion and paved the way for stronger policy intervention on this front. The OECD Global Plastics Outlook reports seek to inform and support these efforts. More information and the full report can be found here.
The One Planet Network Forum- Delivering change: Sustainable Consumption and Production for a Better Future on a Healthy Planet, May 31- June 1, 2022
May 31 - June 1, 2022. Building on the global multi-stakeholder partnership that has led the shift to sustainable consumption and production set the agenda and provided tools and solutions to deliver on SDG12, the One Planet Network is bringing together UN bodies and regional programs, its six programs, and actively engaged country representatives, as well its Network of partner organizations to launch a new phase of accelerated and impactful SCP implementation. Building on its multi-stakeholder nature, the Forum will provide the platform to advance several commitments for action which can be communicated by the Member States and Stakeholders to support the Leadership Dialogues of Stockholm+50. Read more here.
Senators Merkley and Whitehouse announce Senate Resolution designating July as Plastic Pollution Action month
Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced a resolution designating July as Plastic Pollution Action Month, stemming from extreme concern over the plastic pollution crisis that is threatening human health and marine ecosystems.
The resolution details the dangers to human health and the environment as a direct result of plastic pollution, and encourages all individuals in the United States to protect, conserve, and maintain the environment by taking steps to reduce their plastic pollution, this month and beyond. For more information click here.
Convention on Plastic Pollution: Toward a New Global Agreement to Address Plastic Pollution
June 2022. Plastic pollution is one of the greatest human-made threats our planet faces. Of the approximately 275 million metric tons of plastic waste produced annually, up to 12 million tons leak into oceans, wreaking havoc on livelihoods and ecosystems. The result is an estimated $13 billion in annual environmental damage to marine ecosystems, in addition to other economic losses and significant health and human concerns.
The plastic crisis is inherently transboundary, and it requires a concerted and coordinated global response to address it adequately.
The United Nations Environmental Assembly has adopted several resolutions to address the crisis, but they are ultimately insufficient. To prevent plastic pollution in marine and other environments, the global community will need a dedicated instrument—a Convention on Plastic Production—that will address the full lifecycle of plastic from production and design to waste prevention and management.
You can access the publication here.