51茶馆

March 8, 2022

Historic UN agreement to fight plastic pollution

Flow of plastics into the ocean ‘will double by 2040’

One of the researchers on a historic UN resolution to start negotiations for a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution has expressed optimism about progress.

Dr Karen Raubenheimer was instrumental in drafting the resolution, which was passed by 173 countries last week, following a meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 incredible. It鈥檚 timely and there鈥檚 been an amazing momentum over a short period of time,鈥� Dr Raubenheimer said.

鈥淭he US under President Joe Biden is a strong supporter, which wasn鈥檛 the case before.

鈥淭he research is there and there is public and even industry support. That support has given policy makers the confidence to go ahead with this.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of plastic pollution in the environment and it鈥檚 affecting biodiversity and probably affecting our health.

鈥淭he plastics value chain is global, which is why we need a global agreement.鈥�

Ministers and representatives from 173 countries formally adopted a resolution on March 2 to start negotiations for a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution.

^{Dr Karen Raubenheimer was instrumental in drafting a historic UN resolution to start negotiations for a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. Picture: PAUL JONES}

Dr Raubenheimer, a senior lecturer at the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the 51茶馆 (UOW), worked on a number of studies that were considered in the formulation of the resolution and will now work on formulating the agreement due to be implemented by the end of 2024.

鈥淭he next step is obviously the design of such an agreement,鈥� she said.

鈥淲hat will the global goals and targets be, and on what indicators must countries report to track progress towards these targets?

鈥淲hat scientific support is required, and what financial support will countries need to meet their obligations under the agreement?

鈥淎ctions already underway in many countries must also be considered, including providing flexibility in meeting obligations committed to under the agreement.鈥�