“Towards Eliminating Plastic Pollution by 2040: A Policy Scenario Analysis” Report
A new report reveals the staggering amount of plastic pollution leaking into the environment each year. It provides policy guidance to curb this crisis as negotiations continue on an international plastic treaty.
21 Million Tonnes of Plastic Pollution Annually
The OECD interim report estimates 21 million metric tons of plastics entered the environment in 2022 alone. 9 million tons polluted aquatic environments. Plastic use and waste will keep rising sharply without action.
Consequences of Inaction
Continuing business-as-usual would amplify harmful impacts on nature, climate, and human health. Plastic stocks in oceans could reach 226 million tons by 2040 despite pollution’s grave costs.
Benefits of Ambitious Action
Coordinated policy tackling plastic’s full lifecycle could cut waste generation by 25% below projected levels by 2040. It could virtually eliminate mismanaged waste while reducing leakage to just 1.2 million tons.
Challenges and Costs
Achieving these outcomes requires overcoming technical and economic barriers, including boosting recycling. Ambitious action would cost 0.5% of global GDP in 2040. But delayed action also bears long-term costs.
Uneven Impacts
Fast-growing countries face the largest costs as a share of GDP. They need over $1 trillion for waste management until 2040. International cooperation is essential given the uneven cost distribution.
Insufficient Current Efforts
Despite the urgent need to curb plastics, today’s policies remain inadequate. Bolder coordinated action across the full lifecycle is essential to come close to eliminating plastic pollution by 2040.
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Month: Current Affairs - November, 2023
Category: Environment Current Affairs • Reports & Indexes Current Affairs