Global Plastic Treaty 2024 UPSC | Comprehensive Information

Global Plastic Treaty 2024 UPSC | Comprehensive Information

Global Plastic Treaty: Addressing the Crisis of Plastic Pollution The global plastic crisis has reached alarming levels, necessitating urgent international intervention. To combat this growing challenge, over 170 countries have convened in Busan, South Korea, to negotiate a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution, including marine pollution. This treaty, spearheaded by the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC), represents a crucial step toward resolving the environmental, health, and climate impacts of plastic pollution. Here, we explore the significance, key challenges, and expected outcomes of this treaty. The Necessity for a Global Plastic Treaty 1. Surging Plastic Production and Waste Escalating Production : Global plastic production has doubled in recent decades, rising from 234 million tonnes in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in 2019, and is projected to reach 700 million tonnes by 2040. Asia leads this growth, producin…