Towards a global agreement to combat marine plastic pollution
As a member state of the United Nations, Aotearoa New Zealand is working with other countries on a global agreement to combat marine plastic litter and plastic pollution.
As a member state of the United Nations, Aotearoa New Zealand is working with other countries on a global agreement to combat marine plastic litter and plastic pollution.
The flow of plastic litter and plastic pollution into the marine environment is a growing global problem.
Plastic pollution has significant environmental, health, social, and economic impacts.
By 2050 plastic production is expected to grow to 1,600 million tonnes per year. This is up from from 407 million tonnes in 2015. It would amount to around 5.6 times the weight of all humans.
At the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) from 28 February to 2 March 2022, countries across the world agreed to work towards a new global agreement on combatting marine plastic litter and plastic pollution.
The mandate agreed at UNEA-5.2 to negotiate a global agreement is consistent with New Zealand’s domestic work on plastic. The development of a global agreement will cover the full life cycle of plastics from production to disposal and will include microplastics in its scope. The International Negotiating Committee is expected to complete its work by the end of 2024.
The summary report of the UNEA’s Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics [UNEA website] identifies a range of potential options to address the marine plastic litter problem.
Core elements of a global agreement are likely to include a:
The overall scope, level of ambition, and nature of commitments of a global agreement all remain subject to negotiations.
Taking action on plastic waste is an important step in Aotearoa New Zealand’s journey to a low-waste economy with an effective resource recovery and recycling system.
In the negotiations of an international plastics treaty, Aotearoa New Zealand will be guided by principles of:
Aotearoa New Zealand has also endorsed the:
We are also members of a range of other international groups to reduce plastic pollution such as the:
If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback throughout this process, please get in touch with us at UNPlasticsTreaty@mfe.govt.nz