Calling on global leaders to address plastic waste

Last Updated on November 21, 2024 6:49 am

By Rinzin Wangchuk, Baku, Azerbaijan – Amid cold rain and brisk winds in Baku, where COP29 is underway, Pakistan has rallied South Asian nations to unite in urgent action against the escalating plastic pollution crisis choking the region’s rivers and seas.

“Our region is not only polluted by plastic, but emissions from material production are increasing rapidly worldwide,” said Dr. Khalid Waleed, an energy economics and research fellow at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad, Pakistan. Speaking during a COP29 side event on November 18, he noted that the share of total global emissions from material production had increased from 15 percent in 1995 to 23 percent in 2015.

At the ongoing COP29 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, plastic pollution and waste management remain key topics, with negotiations currently underway. The negotiations are expected to stretch until November 22. More than 72,000 participants from 196 countries have registered to attend COP29.

The South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, has also voiced concern over mounting plastic pollution in the region and called for a global initiative to address this critical issue.

SACEP’s Director General, Norbu Wangchuk, highlighted the severity of plastic pollution in South Asia, affecting both landlocked and coastal nations. “SAARC countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Afghanistan struggle with macro- and microplastic pollution in their rivers, while Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka face severe marine plastic waste,” he said.

South Asia generates 334 million metric tons of solid waste annually, with plastic accounting for 8 percent of the total. A study by Jambeck ranks four South Asian nations—Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan—among the top 20 global contributors to mismanaged plastic waste.

South Asia’s major transboundary river systems exacerbate the problem, acting as highways for plastic pollution. The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin, shared by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, leaks approximately 316,911 metric tons of plastic waste into the oceans annually. Similarly, the Indus River basin, spanning Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, contributes an additional 93,512 metric tons each year. Rivers such as Sri Lanka’s Kelani and Nepal’s Bagmati also carry heavy plastic loads, underscoring the pervasive nature of the issue.

Director General Wangchuk emphasised the need for collective action. “Only through collaboration among nations, communities, and stakeholders can we hope to address plastic waste. Regional unity and shared commitment are essential for a sustainable future,” Wangchuk, a former education minister in Bhutan now leading SACEP in Colombo, said.

Tackling plastic waste
Despite significant challenges, SACEP’s Plastic-free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) project is making progress in addressing plastic waste. Since its inception, the project has achieved notable milestones in community engagement, policy integration, and on-the-ground action. Over 30 percent of the initiatives involve women-led enterprises and marginalized groups, creating both social and economic benefits alongside environmental impacts. The project has supported member countries in enforcing single-use plastic bans and implementing recycling incentives. Its activities include riverbank clean-ups, promotion of biodegradable alternatives, and development of urban waste management systems.

“Though successful, the project faces hurdles, including limited financial resources, technical expertise, and the need for improved regional coordination,” said Norbu Wangchuk. “COP29 offers a platform to attract investment and share global best practices.”

Funded by the World Bank, the PLEASE project addresses the plastic pollution crisis by targeting its sources and impacts.

Looking ahead, SACEP plans to expand the project to tackle transboundary pollution and foster partnerships with private companies to develop sustainable packaging solutions. SACEP’s comprehensive approach serves as a global model for addressing environmental issues. “As COP29 progresses, the PLEASE project exemplifies how regional cooperation can combat a global crisis, promoting environmental sustainability and social equity,” Norbu Wangchuk said.

Recently, Bhutan hosted a roundtable on the plastic waste crisis under the PLEASE project in Thimphu. Stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society organizations, and international agencies discussed Bhutan’s heavy reliance on imported plastics, which constitute 80 percent of its plastic consumption.

Way Forward
SACEP aims to expand the PLEASE project to address transboundary pollution in international waters and foster partnerships with private companies to advance sustainable packaging solutions. Its inclusive and systemic approach is a model for tackling environmental issues globally.

“The PLEASE project underscores the critical importance of regional cooperation in combating plastic pollution,” the director general said. “By leveraging innovative strategies and fostering cross-border collaboration, SACEP is setting a benchmark for tackling global environmental challenges. This initiative is a reminder that united action is not only possible but imperative for a sustainable future.”

Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution
To develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in marine environments, the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will be held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan, Republic of Korea, from November 25 to December 1, 2024. The session will be preceded by regional consultations on November 24.

SACEP officials have expressed hope that this legal instrument, if endorsed, will align with the objectives of the PLEASE project and significantly contribute to protecting human health globally.

The writer is the former editor of Kuensel and the Executive Diorector of the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan.