Publications

Several governments have focused on marine plastic pollution. Implementing and monitoring a global agreement requires concrete commitments, technical and financial support, national, regional, and international transparency and data sharing, and strengthening action by organisations and/or individuals, as well as coordination with existing treaties. Reducing virgin plastic production and consumption (Goal 1: Reduce); facilitating a circular plastic economy based on waste hierarchy principles (Goal 2: Reuse – Repair – Recycle); and reducing plastic pollution are among the goals of an international agreement. Reducing plastic pollution requires regular reporting. Monitoring and analysing plastic pollution is crucial to ensuring reduction strategies are effective. It’s important to monitor and assess plastic pollution locally, nationally, and regionally. Global agreements are possible if they involve industry, governments, stakeholders, and citizens, yet most negotiations take at least two years and realistically, implementation takes much longer. Any convention usually takes around eight to ten years, especially because countries’ legal systems need to be harmonised. The review article concludes in the hope that negotiations at UNEA 5.2 will kickstart a new global plastic pollution agreement.