Globally, we produce more than 400 million metric tons of plastic waste each year. A global plastics treaty is an attempt to tamp down the deluge.
Two years ago, the United States and 174 other nations agreed to develop a legally binding treaty to address global plastics pollution. The deal was hailed as the most important environmental pact since the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement – because, just like the climate crisis, plastics pollution is pervasive, toxic, and requires cooperation on a global scale.
Facilitated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the global plastics treaty is set to be finalized by the end of 2024. Delegates from all over the world have been meeting to negotiate, with many countries calling for binding global rules to limit plastic production. While most countries favor binding regulations, the U.S. is pushing for a country-driven approach…