An estimated 9 million metric tonnes of plastic enters our oceans every year globally. Skyrocketing levels of plastic production are creating needless greenhouse gas emissions, with plastic contaminating our soil, rivers, oceans and food chain. Without action, plastic leakage into the ocean will triple by 2040.
A global problem needs a global solution. After years of campaigning by WWF and more than 2.2 million people around the world calling on governments to stop the flow of plastics into our environment, we now have a potential solution on the table.
At the United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022, the overwhelming majority of UN member states agreed to start work on a global agreement on plastic pollution, to be drawn up by 2024. This is a big win for people and wildlife.
The crisis can only be solved together.
The ambitious agreement lays the foundation for one of the most important environmental protection measures since the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, and shows that the global community has understood how much plastic is endangering our environment and, by extension, us.
The beginning of the end of the plastics crisis
The road to a treaty will be long and challenging. There will be disagreement over what it should contain, exactly what governments will be required to do, and ultimately how ambitious the treaty is. It’s so important that pressure is maintained on governments to develop a comprehensive treaty that will have a real impact on the plastic pollution crisis.
WWF will be there every step of the way to push for the best outcome possible. Your ongoing support is also important. You can join us in helping to Regenerate Australia by taking action in your own lives to reduce plastic consumption, continuing to support WWF and educating your family and friends about plastic waste.