Progress made towards a global plastics treaty covering waste

The US and France are calling for an international treaty to address the global problem of plastic pollution. A joint statement by the two countries says they are committed to protecting the environment for future generations. An estimated 8.8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the world’s ocean each year.

‘Recognising the transboundary aspects of plastic pollution and the importance of curbing it at its source, the United States and France support launching negotiations at the upcoming fifth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) on a global agreement to address the full lifecycle of plastics and promote a circular economy,’ the two nations assert in the statement, which was released on the last day of an ocean summit on 11 February in France.