However, the exponential growth of production and consumption of plastics in recent decades is having serious negative effects on the environment and human health. Plastics are important materials for our economy and daily lives. Today, the coalition has released its Ministerial Statement, calling for several legally binding core obligations in the new treaty. The EU is taking a leading role in combatting plastic pollution globally by supporting the setting up of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, with a commitment to aim high in the negotiations to end plastic pollution by 2040. Meanwhile, plastic products that are to remain in the economy should be designed in a more sustainable way, including through increased use of recycled plastics. The EU will also propose measures to eliminate and restrict plastic products that are avoidable, replaceable, produce waste or pose a significant risk to human health and the environment. We are determined to keep working for ambitious action across the world, as the fight against the pollution, climate and biodiversity crises must involve all of us. In the EU, we keep strengthening our legislation to reduce plastic pollution – from new EU-wide rules to reduce packaging to measures on microplastics. More than 1,000 delegates from governments, NGOs, industry, and civil society will discuss with the aim to conclude by the end of 2024 a new legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.Ĭommissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said:Īn international plastics treaty is our chance to stop plastic pollution by introducing global rules throughout the entire plastics life cycle. With plastic production forecasted to triple by 2060, the EU will call for legally binding provisions to address the production of primary plastics, with a view to making production and consumption sustainable. Commissioner Sinkevičius will represent the Commission at the high-level meeting organised by the United Nations. On Monday, the second high-level round of negotiations on the way to achieving a global treaty against plastic pollution starts in Paris.

Rules by cynthia