In November 2022, the European Union joined the joint effort of many nations’ High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution,’ so the member states can successfully mitigate the effects of plastic pollution threatening land and waters, just like our river, the Tisza.
With the 27 states of the EU, all regions of the world are covered, so they can go against plastic pollution, share knowledge and start intergovernmental negotiations based on science.
The EU already took action that has accelerated the transition to a more efficient plastics economy, e.g., actions against single-use plastics, plastic packaging, microplastics, etc. These align with the Coalition’s goal to end plastic pollution by 2040, outlining three strategic goals and seven key deliverables.
The strategic goals are to restrain plastic consumption and production to sustainable levels, to enable a circular economy for plastics that protects the environment and human health, and finally, to achieve environmentally sound management and recycling of plastic waste.
Critical deliverables for success are to...
“Eliminate problematic plastics, including by bans and restrictions.
“Develop global sustainability criteria and standards for plastics.
“Set global baselines and targets for sustainability throughout the lifecycle of plastics.
“Ensure transparency in the value chain of plastics, including for material and chemical composition.
“Establish mechanisms for strengthening commitments, targets, and controls over time.
“Implement monitoring and reporting at each stage through the lifecycle of plastics.
“Facilitate practical technical and financial assistance, scientific and socio-economic assessments.
Watch the video of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution:
According to the EU, “the new instrument should include the necessary obligations enabling countries to step up actions to prevent plastics from entering the environment,” They acknowledge that “a circular approach looking at the entire plastics life cycle will be key for the change needed.” The negotiations on the new treaty are set to be completed by 2025.
