Welcome to Sustainability Unveiled , where we shine a light on the pressing environmental issues of our time . I'm EcoVoice and today we're diving into a crucial topic the failure to secure a global plastics treaty in 2024 . The failure to secure a global plastics treaty in 2024 .
This perspective comes from Thomas Kermendi , ceo of Elopak , a global supplier of fiber-based packaging . As a leader in sustainable innovation , kermendi highlights the critical importance of global collaboration to tackle plastic pollution .
Despite some progress this year in climate financing and packaging laws , the inability to reach an agreement on plastic pollution remains one of the biggest missed opportunities of the year . Let's explore why this matters and what needs to happen next . What went wrong in Busan ?
In 2022 , 175 countries agreed on the need for a legally binding a treaty to tackle plastic pollution . Yet negotiations during the fifth round of the International Negotiating Committee INC5 , talks in Busan , south Korea , broke down this year . Why ? Efforts to cap global plastic production , a cornerstone for meaningful progress , were met with resistance from a few nations .
Discussions have been postponed until next year , further delaying action on an issue that grows more urgent by the day . Consider these sobering statistics Since 1950 , nearly 8 billion tons of plastic have been produced globally . Only 10% has been recycled . Without intervention , plastic waste is projected to triple by 2040 , according to the OECD .
The lack of a global treaty means national and local efforts , while commendable , remain insufficient to address the scale of the challenge . Plastic pollution has risen by 50% in the past five years , despite a 60% increase in commitments to tackle the problem . Why a global treaty matters ? Plastic pollution is a global problem that requires global solutions .
Here's why leveling the playing field A cap on plastic production would ensure fair competition . Companies investing in sustainable packaging like paperboard cartons with up to 73% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than plastic bottles would no longer lose out to cheaper all-plastic alternatives . Support for developing nations Much of the world's plastic waste is produced .
Thank you , global treaty is clear . Over 200 companies , including Walmart and Unilever , have called for binding agreements on sustainable production levels . Businesses want clear , fair rules to drive innovation and meet consumer demands for low-plastic alternatives . What can be done ? The future isn't entirely bleak .
There are actionable steps for governments , businesses and individuals . Governments adopt and enforce policies like caps on plastic production and incentives for low plastic alternatives . Commit to meaningful collaboration in future negotiations . Businesses continue innovating .
We've seen an explosion of low plastic products , from hand soap to laundry detergent , packaged in paperboard Scaling . These solutions can drive industry-wide change . Thank you should serve as a wake-up call as we move into 25, . The stakes are higher than ever . The tools and innovations are already available , businesses have the will and consumers have the expectations .
All that's needed is for governments to align their interests and take bold , unified action . The world can't afford to waste another year . Closing by EcoVoice . That's it for today's episode of Sustainability Unveiled . The road to a plastic-free future is long , but every step counts . Join me next time as we explore more insights and solutions for a sustainable world .
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