TCoPS - 27

CHAPTER 4:
THE WAY FORWARD
A GLOBAL TREATY COULD PROVIDE THE NECESSARY
MECHANISM FOR GOVERNMENTS TO EFFECTIVELY TACKLE
THE PLASTIC CRISIS AND SECURE PUBLIC SUPPORT.
A GLOBAL TREATY ON MARINE PLASTIC POLLUTION
CAN BE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO TACKLE THE
PLASTIC CRISIS IF IT IS AMBITIOUS ENOUGH AND
ADOPTED BY MOST COUNTRIES.
An ambitious, legally binding global treaty on
marine plastic pollution is likely the best tool to
trigger effective global coordination and accelerate
national measures and plans. Analysis by the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) of the
effectiveness of existing and potential response options and
activities on marine litter and microplastics concluded that
" a well-designed international framework can address most
pressures and barriers identified across all phases of the
lifecycle and operate at the global scale " .183
A global treaty
will provide this framework, promoting globally coordinated
action on plastic, overcoming barriers to effective action, and
supporting the transition to a circular economy approach (see
Figure 7).
Figure 7: Four potential components of a global agreement on plastic pollution proposed.184
Four potential components of a global agreement on plastic pollution proposed
GLOBAL AGREEMENT ON PLASTIC POLLUTION
Eliminate direct and indirect discharge of plastic into oceans by 2030
1
2
DEFINITIONS
Agree on a harmonized set
of definitions & standards
Consistent standards to define
products & processes...
...applied across markets and
along the plastic value chain
POLICIES
Agree on common policy
framework
Coordinated international
approach on national targets,
national action plans & minimum
requirements...
...to deliver the global change
required
3
REPORTING
Agree on global reporting
metrics & methodologies
Set out common reporting
& monitoring standards at
corporate & national levels
Establish intergovernmental
scientific review panel
4
IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT
Establish international
capacity building mechanism
Funding to build waste
management capabilities in key
markets
Support for tech & consumer
knowledge transfers
Innovation fund to scale initiatives
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