Why we need a global deal on plastics

ClientEarth asserts that a global plastics treaty will only be effective if it establishes legally binding production reduction targets, prohibits new plastic plants, and addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics from fossil fuel extraction to waste. The organization highlights that plastics production is projected to consume 20% of the world's carbon budget by 2050 and that only 9% of all plastic ever made has been recycled. The document emphasizes the need to align public and private financial flows with these goals and to prioritize human rights and health, noting that nearly a quarter of the 10,500 chemical substances in plastics are of potential concern for human health.

• Plastics production is projected to account for 20% of the global carbon budget by 2050, with the petrochemicals and plastics industries expected to drive half of the growth in fossil fuel production demand by that date.
• Recycling is insufficient to solve the plastics crisis, as only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, while the remainder is incinerated, landfilled, or abandoned in the environment.
• Approximately 75% of emissions associated with plastics occur during the initial stages of the lifecycle, including the extraction, refining, and transport of oil and gas.
• Plastics contain approximately 10,500 chemical substances, nearly 25% of which are linked to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers.

APA

ClientEarth (2024). Why we need a global deal on plastics. https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/why-we-need-a-global-deal-on-plastics/

Chicago

ClientEarth. Why we need a global deal on plastics. 2024. https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/why-we-need-a-global-deal-on-plastics/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=Why we need a global deal on plastics |date=25 April 2024 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/why-we-need-a-global-deal-on-plastics/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2024why, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Why we need a global deal on plastics}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2024}, month = apr, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/why-we-need-a-global-deal-on-plastics/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }