Friday, May 9, 2025
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
Environmental Magazine
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home Activism

EIA urges governments to use ‘scientific evidence’ in developing UN plastics treaty

March 26, 2022
in Activism
A A

Backed by 183 experts from 37 research institutions, the message is clear: any agreement must be based on fact.

The United Nations Environment Assembly is due to meet in Nairobi later this month, with the body convening from 28th February. Ahead of that date, the Environment Investigation Agency (EIA) has launched its ‘Scientists’ Declaration’ to push policymakers towards a treaty based on evidence, rather than the interests of industries and lobbyists. 

Alongside recommendations not to ignore scientific evidence, signees also identify a number of shortcomings in current commitments. For example, focusing on waste management and domestic recycling schemes for single use plastics means many other issues are being missed. 

Collectively, the group has recommended introducing cap on global plastic production and phasing output down where necessary, standardising and reducing the range of plastics, associated products and delivery systems available, developing universal monitoring and reporting methods, and rolling out compliance and enforcement measures. 

The announcement comes amid concerns plastic production is continuing to increase. Around 367m tonnes of virgin material, 99% of which come from fossil fuels, are made annually, up from just 2m in 1950, with the figure expected to hit 1bn tonnes by 2050. Meanwhile, plastic leakage into the environment is expected to triple between 2016 and 2040. Estimates suggest plastic pollution costs the world $6-$19bn each year. 

‘Humankind has already exceeded the safe operating space for chemical pollution. This declaration has been created by leaders in this scientific field – they know all there currently is to know about plastics and its impacts on our environment, health and wellbeing,’ said EIA Ocean Campaigner, Tom Gammage. ‘Our climate and biodiversity will be affected, for better or worse, depending on what decisions are made in Nairobi.’

‘The international science tells us that the priority responses must be the minimisation of global plastics production and the systemic design of toxic-free, just, generative and zero waste economies,’ added Trisia Farrelly, Associate Professor at Massey University, New Zealand. ‘What we need now is the political will for a globally coordinated response commensurate with the evidence and recommendations of the global scientific community if we are to prevent further irreversible contamination.’

In related news, Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute published research proving that microplastic pollution in the world’s oceans will continue to rise for decades, even if no more plastic is allowed to enter seas. 

Image credit: Marc Newberry

ShareTweetSharePinSendShare

Related Articles

Activism

In Southern Arizona, Community Opposition to Mining Grows in Towns That Once Depended on the Industry

May 8, 2025
Activism

World’s Researchers Say They Will Resist Attacks on Science and Support Beleaguered U.S. Colleagues

May 6, 2025
Activism

For Alabama’s Spotted Salamanders, a Win and a Warning

April 30, 2025
Activism

In Montana, Republican State Legislators Fight Back After Successful Youth Climate Lawsuit

April 28, 2025
Activism

She Galvanized Her Community After a Company Contaminated It With ‘Forever Chemicals’

April 26, 2025
Activism

‘We Are Nature’: Indigenous Women Come Together at the United Nations

April 25, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Scotland plans to ban destruction of unsold goods

March 26, 2022

UKWIR research programme aims to transform sewerage management

August 27, 2024

Don't miss it

Water

New trade body will represent the Property Flood Resilience sector

May 9, 2025
News

Latest government amendment to planning bill could further weaken environmental standards, warn experts

May 9, 2025
Energy

Youngkin Vetoes Clean Energy Bills That Garnered Support From Dominion, Environmental Groups

May 9, 2025
Fossil Fuels

New PacifiCorp Forecast Sees More Fossil-Fueled Electricity. How Will That Affect Western Energy Jobs?

May 9, 2025
Energy

Despite Federal Challenges, Two Leading Solar Advocates Are Continuing Their Forward Push

May 8, 2025
Air

Carbon registry partner selection prioritises rigour and transparency, says EfW operator

May 8, 2025
Environmental Magazine

Environmental Magazine, Latest News, Opinions, Analysis Environmental Magazine. Follow us for more news about Enviroment and climate change from all around the world.

Learn more

Sections

  • Activism
  • Air
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Fossil Fuels
  • News
  • Uncategorized
  • Water

Topics

Activism Air Climate Change Energy Fossil Fuels News Uncategorized Water

Recent News

New trade body will represent the Property Flood Resilience sector

May 9, 2025

Latest government amendment to planning bill could further weaken environmental standards, warn experts

May 9, 2025

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.