Pepe Clarke, oceans practice leader at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), emphasized in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) the urgency of a legally-binding global framework on plastic pollution to respond to a worsening global crisis.
Every year, the world produces about 430 million metric tons of plastic, with single-use plastics, such as plastic cutlery, and microplastics, such as those added to cosmetic products, making up about 90 percent of the waste produced.
It causes major harm to wildlife and ecosystems, but also disrupts the livelihood of millions of people, as well as posing significant risk to human health and the world economy.
Clarke warned that global plastic pollution will double by 2040 if current trends continue.
"Despite some efforts at the national level and voluntary initiatives to curb plastic pollution, the production, consumption and pollution from plastic is still on the rise. So we need to move to a global legally binding framework through this global treaty. If current trends continue, by 2040 we expect the global plastic production will double and we see a tripling in the amount of plastic leakage into the ocean. So WWF considers it to be particularly important to conclude a robust legally binding treaty," he said.
In addition to solutions that work at the regional, national and local level, Clarke said that private sector has an enormous role to play in addressing plastic pollution.
"Most plastic is produced by businesses and most plastic is consumed by individual consumers and indeed other businesses. So the private sector is very much part of the problem and part of the solution," he said.
Clarke also explained how a robust treaty can help businesses that are proactive in addressing plastic issues.
"WWF works with leading businesses to seek to reduce plastic production, consumption and waste in their supply chains, but to achieve widespread improvement and to drive innovation, we do need robust policy frameworks. And it's for that reason that WWF has co-convened a global business coalition for a global plastics treaty. And those 200 businesses are working with us to advocate for a robust, legally binding plastics treaty because they believe it's an important part of the solution and also helps to level the field for those businesses that are moving early to take responsible action on plastics," said Clarke.
WWF official calls for global framework to end plastic pollution
