Tackling Plastic Pollution. A Summary of 2024 COP29 Climate Talks

The United Nations hosted talks in South Korea to tackle plastic pollution. The previous round of talks in Ottawa, Canada, ended without reaching an agreement on limiting plastic production. Instead, the discussions this time focused on the harmful chemicals in plastics and other measures to reduce plastic waste.

Countries like Saudi Arabia and China, which depend heavily on the petrochemical industry, oppose efforts to limit plastic production. Countries that are suffering from plastic pollution, are pushing for stronger actions to reduce plastic production and waste. The risk of continued plastic pollution poses a significant threat to both the environment and public health.

U.S. and Small Island Nations Position on Plastic Production Limits

The United States expressed support for limiting plastic production, aligning itself with the European Union, Kenya, Peru, and other members of the High Ambition Coalition. While the U.S. supports actions to reduce plastic waste, it remains to be seen if it will back production caps in the long term.

For small island nations like Fiji, a global treaty on plastic pollution is essential. Fiji’s climate minister, Sivendra Michael, explained that although Fiji does not produce plastic, the country bears the brunt of its pollution. Plastic waste ends up in their oceans and landfills, harming the environment and public health. Studies show that most fish consumed in Fiji are polluted with microplastics, which can also affect humans who eat them.

Funding for Developing Countries and Proposed Solutions on Tackling Plastic Pollution

At the November 2024 COP29 climate talks, some countries proposed a plan to raise funds to help developing countries to tackle plastic pollution and the effects of climate change. The proposal suggested imposing a fee of $60-$70 per ton on plastic production.

One proposed solution to reduce plastic pollution is to improve waste management systems in the Global South, where 2.7 billion people lack regular waste collection. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommends a combination of strategies, including taxing plastic production, banning single-use plastics, and redesigning products to reduce waste.

Critics argue that focusing mainly on waste management neglects the production side of the problem. Without addressing the production of plastic, plastic pollution management alone cannot solve the issue. Additionally, existing laws are often not enforced, undermining efforts to manage waste effectively.

Innovative Solutions and Financing for Tackling Plastic Waste

Innovative solutions and new financing tools are needed to support smaller-scale projects. One example is the initiative in Vietnam to replace plastic straws with grass straws, which shows promise but requires more funding. The World Bank’s community-recycling bonds aim to raise funds for such initiatives, though the effectiveness of tools like plastic credits in reducing plastic pollution remains debated.

Waste pickers play a crucial role in recycling, with 20 million waste pickers globally contributing to the recycling of 60% of the world’s plastic which is a great way to tackle plastic pollution. Programs to support waste pickers, such as providing better equipment and improving working conditions, could enhance global recycling efforts.

EcoCentricNow Advocates for Prioritizing Solutions to Plastic Pollution

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References
Laville, S. (2024). Plastic pollution is changing the entire Earth system, scientists find. The Guardian
EcoCentricNow LLC. (2024). Plastic Pollution Treaty: Solutions to Addressing the Plastic Scourge
Gist. (2024). One way a plastics treaty could help the Global South: Fund waste management