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African Governments Call for Support for Plastic Pollution Solutions – Global Issues

Negotiators at the United Nations Environment Council (UNEA) in Kenya. African countries have been encouraged to adopt circular plastic policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Credit: UNEA
  • by Aimable Twahirwa (Nairobi, Kenya)
  • Joint press service

The key approach to the circular economy for developing countries in Africa and beyond, experts say, should focus on tackling plastic pollution by reducing plastic emissions into the environment by reducing plastic pollution. covering all stages of the plastic life cycle. Plastic waste will be reduced through recovery and regeneration projects that use this material without leaking into the natural environment.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), outlined the key steps to stopping plastic pollution, stopping harmful chemicals in agriculture, and deploying nature to find it. sustainable development solutions.

“Aspirational action to beat plastic pollution needs to track the lifespan of plastic products – from source to sea – must be legally binding, accompanied by support for developing countries, backed supported by financial mechanisms, monitored by strong supervisory mechanisms and incentivized by all stakeholders – including the private sector,” Andersen said.

The key challenge is how to move countries towards a more circular economy that benefits from reduced environmental pressures. Scientists highlight the need for most African governments to strengthen the scientific base and knowledge about plastic pollution and improve their policies.

Mohammed Abdelraouf, chair of the Large Group of the UNEP Science and Technology Community, told IPS that while there are many solutions to plastic pollution, research should complement these efforts by developing effective measures. cost-effective to prevent environmental degradation.

“It is important for governments to make decisions that stimulate innovation,” he said.

Under the draft resolution being debated at UNEA, signatories to the internationally legally binding agreement will commit to reducing plastic pollution throughout the entire lifecycle of plastics, from preventive measures upstream of the lifecycle to downstream measures to address waste management. Rwanda and Peru have come up with a solution.

For smooth implementation and compliance by stakeholders, the UN agency in charge of environmental protection will engage with stakeholders, including governments, the business community, researchers and civil society. the. Participation aims to understand the priorities, challenges, what is needed to drive the circular plastic economy to work for industry, economies and to meet environmental and social goals.

Experts describe private sector support as crucial in managing plastic waste. Some members of the business community will benefit in the process from granting grants to encourage the transition to a circular economy.

With various industries in the plastics value chain now facing a changing dynamic, Andersen noted that company shareholders and consumers are increasingly paying attention to the evolving pollution challenges. from their investments and purchasing decisions.

For example, a waste management initiative has supported public-private investment projects in three African countries, including Algeria, Ethiopia and Rwanda, to promote sustainable waste management and economies. circular economy.

Margaret Munene, a Kenyan businesswoman and Chair of UNEP’s Large Business and Industry Group, told delegates that successfully reducing plastic pollution requires experimental solutions.

“The private sector remains crucial in creating innovative and technological solutions to the problem of plastic waste,” she said.

The Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Espen Barth Eide, initiated a project to identify the requirements and options for designing the science-policy interface. The project aims to develop various proposals on how to create interfaces to work as efficiently as possible, especially for developing countries.

“Plastic pollution has developed into an epidemic of its own. Paradoxically, plastic is one of the longest-lasting products we humans have made – and often we still throw it away. Plastic is a product that can be reused, and then repeated, if we move it to a circular economy. I believe the time has come for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution,” said Eide.

In addition to plastic, experts say other major interventions needed involve designing buildings that make efficient use of limited materials and use less energy-intensive building processes to reduce emissions. greenhouse gas emissions and prevent environmental degradation.

Official estimates show that Africa is the second most populous continent globally, and its urban population is expected to nearly triple by 2050 to 1.34 billion.

It is estimated that between 60% and 80% of the built environment needed by 2050 to support this growing population has yet to be built.

Report of the United Nations Office IPS


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© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service

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