Latest news with #GlobalPlasticTreaty
Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Plastic Pollution and Global Plastic Treaty — What you need to know for UPSC
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: Plastic pollution has been an important topic for your UPSC exam. In the 2025 prelims, a question was asked on plastic; a similar question was asked in the 2024 prelims as well. Do check them in the post-read questions. With increased focus on environmental pollution in recent years, the data provided in the article can be used across Mains papers to add value to your answer.) World Environment Day is observed annually on June 5. This year, the Republic of Korea is hosting the event with the focus on the theme #BeatPlasticPollution. The theme aims to educate people about how plastics are made, used, and disposed of, and the effects they have. The initiative seeks to engage communities globally in advocating for and implementing effective solutions. In 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) initiated a process to develop a legally binding treaty on plastics pollution by the end of 2024. The fifth and final round of discussion on a legally binding treating for curbing plastic pollution ended without any agreement. Although the treaty was not finalised, discussions on the draft text of the treaty will continue next year. In today's Knowledge Nugget, let's get to know about the negotiation around the Global Plastic Treaty and why curbing plastic pollution is the need of the hour. 1. Over 170 nations were in Busan, South Korea, at the fifth and final meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) of the United Nations to finalise the most important environmental treaty since the 2015 Paris agreement. It was in 2022 in Nairobi at the United Nations Environment Assembly that a resolution was adopted to develop global rules for curbing plastic pollution and do so by the end of 2024. 2. The draft text provided clear definitions of plastic and plastic products, but it did not reflect definitions of contentious issues such as microplastics, nanoplastics, primary plastic polymers, and recycling. The three most crucial issues that prevented the signing of the agreement included putting a global cap on polymer production, eliminating harmful chemicals from plastic production, and phasing out harmful plastic products. A significant divide emerged between the two main coalitions- the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) and the like-minded group, mainly comprising oil-producing countries. 3. According to the website of the HAC advocates for binding agreements to phase out harmful plastics and chemicals, while the like-minded group prefers a focus solely on waste management and recycling. This became one of the points of disagreement. 4. India outlines its stance that any legally binding treaty must recognise the need for support to developing countries through finance and technology transfer. At the outset, it made clear it did not support any articles on 'supply', referring to the discussions surrounding curbing production. India also said production of primary polymers was not directly linked to plastic pollution, and there should be no targets concerning polymer or plastic production. Instead, it asked to focus on reducing plastic pollution. Why the world needs a global plastic treaty 1. Owing to its adaptable properties and versatile use, plastic has become almost indispensable for humans. As a result, plastic production has skyrocketed across the world in recent decades. Since the 1950s, plastic production across the world has skyrocketed. It increased from just 2 million tonnes in 1950 to more than 450 million tonnes in 2019. If left unchecked, the production is slated to double by 2050, and triple by 2060. 2. This has led to a crisis as plastic takes anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, and less than 10% has been recycled till now, according to a 2023 study published by The Lancet. Much of the plastic waste leaks into the environment, especially into rivers and oceans, where it breaks down into smaller particles (microplastic or nanoplastic). 3. The exposure to chemicals in plastic can also cause endocrine disruption and a range of human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and neurodevelopmental impairment. Plastic also harms species inhabiting marine, freshwater, and land ecosystems. 4. Plastic production and disposal are also contributing to climate change. According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2019, plastics generated 1.8 billion tonnes of GHG emissions — 3.4% of global emissions. Roughly 90% of these emissions come from plastic production, which uses fossil fuels as raw material. 5. According to a study published in the journal Nature last year, India contributes to a fifth of global plastic pollution. India burns roughly 5.8 million tonnes (mt) of plastic each year, and releases another 3.5 mt of plastics into the environment (land, air, water) as debris. Cumulatively, India contributes to 9.3 mt of plastic pollution in the world annually, significantly more than the countries next in this list — Nigeria (3.5 mt), Indonesia (3.4 mt) and China (2.8 mt) — and exceeding previous estimates. 1. The Plastic Waste Management Rule 2021 banned the use of single-use plastics covering 19 categories in 2022. Single-use plastic refers to plastic items that are used once and discarded. Single-use plastic has among the highest shares of plastic manufactured and used — from packaging of items, to bottles (shampoo, detergents, cosmetics), polythene bags, face masks, coffee cups, cling film, trash bags, food packaging etc. 2. According to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, there are 7 categories of plastics on the basis of their recyclability. (1) Consider the following: (UPSC CSE 2025) I. Cigarette butts II. Eyeglass lenses III. Car tyres How many of them contain plastic? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All the three (d) None (2) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2024) Statement-I: Many chewing gums found in the market are considered a source of environmental pollution. Statement-II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base. Which pone of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I (c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct (Source: Why the world needs a global plastic treaty, Why global plastic treaty talks collapsed, India generates highest plastic pollution in world: what a new study found) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Greenpeace slams Coca-Cola over plastic packaging at World Environment Day protest
The environment activist group claims Coca-Cola has been the world's top plastic polluter for six consecutive years. Greenpeace leads a demonstration aimed at raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic waste, and pushing for alternative solutions like reusable packaging in front of the Coca-Cola headquarters in Rosebank, Johannesburg on June 5, 2025. Picture: Emmanuel Croset / AFP Coca-Cola produces 120 billion throwaway plastic bottles a year, Greenpeace Africa said at a protest in South Africa Thursday, urging the soda maker to use glass and tin packaging to cut back on plastic pollution. Activists erected a giant bottle cap outside the company's Johannesburg office emblazoned with the slogan 'Cap it Coke' in a demonstration held on World Environment Day. World's top plastic polluter Coca-Cola has been the world's top plastic polluter for six consecutive years, the environmental activist group claimed. 'Coca-Cola produces 120 billion throwaway plastics every year. And most of it will end up in the environment and in the marine ecosystem,' Greenpeace representative Hellen Kahaso Dena told AFP. 'So today, we are outside the office telling them to cut plastic production, invest in refill and reuse, and ensure that they are investing in other sustainable forms of packaging such as glass and cans,' she said. The company's claims to be promoting plastics recycling amounted to 'greenwashing', she claimed. ALSO READ: Greenpeace $660mn damages ruling shocks global NGOs 'We know that only about nine percent gets recycled. Most of the plastic will end up in the environment,' Dena said. Talks on cutting plastic pollution The group also urged Coca-Cola to stand behind a push for a Global Plastic Treaty that will prioritise a cap on plastic production. Negotiations among delegates from nearly 200 nations for the world's first accord on cutting plastics pollution ended without agreement in South Korea last year after opposition from a bloc of mainly oil-producing countries. A new round is due in Geneva in August. Since the failure of the talks, Coca-Cola lowered its environmental commitments by effectively scrapping a pledge to reach 25 percent reusable packaging by 2030, and pushing back dates and amounts for recycling goals. Over 99 percent of plastics derive from fossil fuels, directly linking plastic production to the climate crisis, Greenpeace said. NOW READ: Randburg pensioner turns plastic into purpose
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Greenpeace slams Coca-Cola for producing billions of plastic bottles
Activists place giant bottle cap with 'Cap it, Coke' slogan outside Coca-Cola's Johannesburg office on World Environment Day (Image credit: AFP) Coca-Cola produces 120 billion throwaway plastic bottles a year, Greenpeace Africa said at a protest in South Africa Thursday, urging the soda maker to use glass and tin packaging to cut back on plastic pollution. Activists erected a giant bottle cap outside the company's Johannesburg office emblazoned with the slogan "Cap it Coke" in a demonstration held on World Environment Day . Coca-Cola has been the world's top plastic polluter for six consecutive years, the environmental activist group claimed. "Coca-Cola produces 120 billion throwaway plastics every year. And most of it will end up in the environment and in the marine ecosystem," Greenpeace representative Hellen Kahaso Dena told AFP. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List "So today, we are outside the office telling them to cut plastic production, invest in refill and reuse, and ensure that they are investing in other sustainable forms of packaging such as glass and cans," she said. The company's claims to be promoting plastics recycling amounted to "greenwashing", she claimed. "We know that only about nine percent gets recycled. Most of the plastic will end up in the environment," Dena said. The group also urged Coca-Cola to stand behind a push for a Global Plastic Treaty that will prioritise a cap on plastic production. Negotiations among delegates from nearly 200 nations for the world's first accord on cutting plastics pollution ended without agreement in South Korea last year after opposition from a bloc of mainly oil-producing countries. A new round is due in Geneva in August. Since the failure of the talks, Coca-Cola lowered its environmental commitments by effectively scrapping a pledge to reach 25 per cent reusable packaging by 2030, and pushing back dates and amounts for recycling goals. Over 99 per cent of plastics derive from fossil fuels, directly linking plastic production to the climate crisis, Greenpeace said.
France 24
5 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Greenpeace slams Coca-Cola for producing billions of plastic bottles
Activists erected a giant bottle cap outside the company's Johannesburg office emblazoned with the slogan "Cap it Coke" in a demonstration held on World Environment Day. Coca-Cola has been the world's top plastic polluter for six consecutive years, the environmental activist group claimed. "Coca-Cola produces 120 billion throwaway plastics every year. And most of it will end up in the environment and in the marine ecosystem," Greenpeace representative Hellen Kahaso Dena told AFP. "So today, we are outside the office telling them to cut plastic production, invest in refill and reuse, and ensure that they are investing in other sustainable forms of packaging such as glass and cans," she said. The company's claims to be promoting plastics recycling amounted to "greenwashing", she claimed. "We know that only about nine percent gets recycled. Most of the plastic will end up in the environment," Dena said. The group also urged Coca-Cola to stand behind a push for a Global Plastic Treaty that will prioritise a cap on plastic production. Negotiations among delegates from nearly 200 nations for the world's first accord on cutting plastics pollution ended without agreement in South Korea last year after opposition from a bloc of mainly oil-producing countries. A new round is due in Geneva in August. Since the failure of the talks, Coca-Cola lowered its environmental commitments by effectively scrapping a pledge to reach 25 percent reusable packaging by 2030, and pushing back dates and amounts for recycling goals. Over 99 percent of plastics derive from fossil fuels, directly linking plastic production to the climate crisis, Greenpeace said.
