Surging momentum globally to address plastic pollution: UN Environment

A new UN Environment report released on Tuesday to mark World Environment Day found a surging momentum in global efforts to address plastic pollution.

The first-of-its-kind accounting found governments were increasing the pace of implementation and the scope of action to curb the use of single-use plastics.

The UN Environment has assembled experiences and assessments of the various measures and regulations to beat plastic pollution in the report "Single-use Plastics: A Roadmap for Sustainability".

This global outlook, developed in cooperation with the Indian government and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, presents case studies from more than 60 countries.

The report analyses the complex relationships in our plastics economy and offers an approach to rethink how the world produces, uses and manages single-use plastics.

Among the recommendations were specific actions policy makers can take to improve waste management, promote eco-friendly alternatives, educate consumers, enable voluntary reduction strategies and successfully implement bans or levies on the use and sale of single-use plastics.

The report was launched here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Head of UN Environment Erik Solheim.

"The assessment shows that action can be painless and profitable - with huge gains for people and the planet that help avert the costly downstream costs of pollution," said Solheim in the report's foreword.

"Plastic isn't the problem. It's what we do with it."

Among the key findings, the report states that government levies and bans - where properly planned and enforced - have been among the most effective strategies to limit overuse of disposable plastic products.

However, the report goes on to cite the fundamental need for broader cooperation from business and private sector stakeholders, offering a roadmap for upstream solutions, including extended producer responsibility and incentives for adoption of a more circular economy approach to plastic production and consumption.

The report recognises that single-use plastic waste generation and waste management practices differ across regions.

While no single measure against pollution will be equally effective everywhere, the authors outlined 10 universal steps for policymakers to tackle the issue in their communities.

Under the theme: "Beat Plastic Pollution", World Environment Day 2018 is issuing a call to action to individuals, governments, the public and the private sector to examine joint solutions to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our natural places, our wildlife and our own health.

World Environment Day is the UN's most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.

Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated globally.

As hosts to this year's World Environment Day, Indian communities large and small will lead a global charge to beat plastic pollution through civic engagement and celebration.

--IANS

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