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The report argues that a deposit return system (DRS) is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound method for Austria to achieve the EU's target of collecting 90% of plastic bottles by 2029. It identifies a powerful coalition—led by Altstoff Recycling Austria (ARA) and including major retailers like REWE Group, Spar, Hofer, and Lidl, as well as beverage companies—that is lobbying the Austrian government against a DRS to protect licensing fee revenues and market dominance. The document highlights that 83% of Austrians support a DRS and rebuts industry claims that current collection rates are sufficient or that a DRS would be too expensive.

ClientEarth argues that the European Commission must conduct a public consultation before adopting the Farm to Fork Strategy to comply with the Aarhus Convention and EU Treaties. The organization identifies several critical gaps in the current Roadmap, including the need to align the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with European Green Deal objectives through SMART targets and to address agricultural air pollution, specifically ammonia and methane. ClientEarth also calls for an end to overfishing, the promotion of only sustainable aquaculture, and the implementation of a zero-pollution action plan for air, water, and soil. Additionally, it advocates for new legislation on Food Contact Materials to eliminate harmful chemical residues and a reduction of pesticide use by 80% by 2030.

The report analyzes how the COVID-19 pandemic acted as an accelerant for the decline of the oil, gas, and plastic sectors. It details the immediate impacts of the pandemic, such as the collapse of air and cruise travel and the resulting oil price war, while emphasizing that the industry was already weakened by high corporate debt, underperforming stocks, and the rise of renewable energy. The document specifically critiques industry lobbying for bailouts and regulatory exemptions, using ExxonMobil as a case study for the intersecting financial and operational risks facing the sector.

The report finds that while Americans are concerned about the impact of plastics on marine life and water quality, they often feel unable to avoid plastic packaging or believe their individual actions are insignificant. There is strong public support for producer responsibility, with businesses ranked as the most responsible party for reducing plastic waste and the entity that should pay for recycling infrastructure. While there is broad support for positive regulations like credits and refund programs, Americans are more divided on taxes and fees.

The report details how plastic production, refining, waste management, and environmental degradation contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. It warns that by 2050, cumulative emissions from plastic could consume 10–13 percent of the remaining carbon budget, potentially making the 1.5°C climate target impossible to achieve. The document advocates for ending single-use plastics and stopping the expansion of petrochemical infrastructure to mitigate these impacts.

The guide outlines five strategies for implementing 'green meetings' in Asia, focusing on overcoming cultural barriers where offering less can be seen as 'poor'. Key recommendations include engaging leadership early, reforming travel cultures to reduce flights, supporting local communities through sustainable tourism, eliminating single-use plastics and disposables, and using digital tools like event apps to reduce printing and encourage participation.

African cities face a 'triple challenge' of rapid population growth, urban expansion, and poor waste management, which threatens urban sustainability and marine ecosystems. The report advocates for a transition from linear 'take–make–dispose' models to a circular economy that prioritises resource efficiency and waste removal. Key recommendations include integrating the informal waste sector, implementing municipal composting, and leveraging regional policy frameworks like Agenda 2063 to foster green entrepreneurialism.

The document outlines how plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions across its entire lifecycle, from fossil fuel extraction to waste management, and proposes systemic reductions over technical fixes.

The report argues that the plastic lifecycle is a significant and growing driver of climate change, potentially consuming 1013 percent of the remaining carbon budget by 2050. It details emissions from fracking, steam cracking, and incineration, while highlighting the emerging threat of microplastics interfering with the ocean's carbon sink. The authors conclude that only a dramatic reduction in plastic production and a transition to zero-waste systems can mitigate these impacts.

The document analyzes the scale of plastic pollution in China, noting that China's 2017 plastic production was approximately 75 million tons. It details the EU's comprehensive approach, including the Waste Framework Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, which utilize Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to shift financial and operational burdens to producers. The paper highlights EU targets under 'Plastics 2030' to make all plastic packaging reusable or recyclable by 2030. It concludes by recommending that China upgrade its legal systems, adopt whole-process management from production to disposal, and cooperate with the EU on transboundary waste treatment and global governance.

The report identifies a systemic failure in the plastic life cycle where the cost of pollution is not borne by producers or converters, leading to a 'tragedy of the commons'. It projects that under a 'business as usual' scenario, plastic pollution will double by 2030, with ocean plastic potentially reaching 300 million metric tons. The document highlights that 37% of plastic waste is currently mismanaged, and carbon emissions from plastic incineration could triple by 2030. To counter this, WWF proposes a 'no plastic in nature' scenario that includes phasing out single-use plastics, achieving 100% waste collection, and establishing a multilateral agreement to hold all stakeholders accountable across the value chain.

The briefing proposes a new global Convention on Plastic Pollution to address the failure of existing fragmented governance to manage the 335 million tonnes of plastic produced annually. It outlines four pillars of action: coordination with existing treaties, pollution prevention through production caps and market restrictions, financial support for developing countries, and technical knowledge exchange. The proposed institutional architecture includes a Conference of the Parties, a secretariat hosted by UN Environment, and a Multilateral Fund modeled after the Montreal Protocol.

The guide outlines low-cost strategies for businesses to become 'green', focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement. Key recommendations include switching to LED lighting, installing low-flow water fittings, reducing paper waste through digital receipts, and incentivising reusable coffee cups. It also suggests dietary shifts toward locally-sourced vegetarian options, eliminating standby power consumption, implementing bike-to-work schemes, composting food waste, and purchasing second-hand furniture. Additionally, it advises employers to select ethical, green investment funds for employee pensions.

The document examines the crisis of marine plastic pollution, noting that while Asia is currently the most polluted continent, Africa is on track to take this title due to rapid population growth, industrialisation, and a lack of waste management capacity. It details the environmental impacts of plastic, including entanglement and ingestion by 344 and 331 marine species respectively, and the economic losses associated with tourism and material waste. The brief surveys a wide array of international treaties—such as UNCLOS, MARPOL, and the Basel Convention—and regional frameworks like the RSCAPs, arguing that policies must shift from focusing on ocean-based waste to targeting land-based sources. It highlights South Africa's legislative framework as an example of established policy that still lacks ground-level implementation, and promotes the African Marine Waste Network (AMWN) as a holistic model for research, economic incentives, and capacity building.

The report highlights Germany's position as a leading producer of packaging waste in Europe, with 218 kg per person annually. It argues that supermarkets and drugstores hold significant power to reduce this waste by replacing resource-inefficient products—such as single-use plastic bottles and non-concentrated detergents—with sustainable alternatives. The document claims that a 20% reduction in resource consumption is currently possible through product innovation and the adoption of reusable systems. It criticizes the 2017 German Packaging Act for focusing on recycling rather than avoidance and calls for a resource tax, binding reusable quotas, and clearer consumer labeling to drive a transition toward a circular economy.

The report details how a network of industry associations and lobby groups, including PlasticsEurope and EUROPEN, worked to weaken the EU's circular economy goals and the Single-Use Plastics Directive. It highlights specific efforts to avoid mandatory tethered bottle caps and to delay separate collection targets. In Austria, the report describes a coalition of retailers and beverage companies, orchestrated by Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA), that has lobbied against the introduction of a deposit return system despite strong public support and evidence of its effectiveness.

The document details how plastic production and disposal contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, projecting that by 2050, these emissions could consume 10 to 13 percent of the remaining carbon budget. It identifies four main emission phases: raw material extraction and transport, refining and manufacturing, waste disposal, and the degradation of plastic in the environment. The report emphasizes that current climate models often underestimate these impacts and argues that the only effective solution is an immediate reduction in the production and use of plastics, alongside a halt to new petrochemical infrastructure.

The document outlines how plastic causes human health crises through exposure to polymers and toxic additives at every stage of its life cycle, from feedstock extraction to waste management. It emphasizes that marginalized communities are disproportionately affected and calls for systemic solutions focused on comprehensive plastic reduction and manufacturer accountability rather than individual consumer behavior.

The document describes the global plastic pollution crisis as a systemic failure driven by increasing production and inadequate waste management. It highlights the environmental and health impacts across land and sea, specifically noting that plastics are projected to account for nearly 20% of total oil consumption and over 10% of the global 1.5°C carbon budget by 2050. The author advocates for a legally binding international framework focusing on reducing production and consumption, eliminating toxic additives, rejecting 'false solutions' like waste-to-energy incineration, and investing in zero waste city models.

The report details how plastic production and incineration contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions across four lifecycle stages: extraction and transport, refining and manufacture, waste management, and environmental degradation. It warns that by 2050, cumulative emissions from plastic could consume 10-13% of the remaining carbon budget, potentially making the 1.5°C climate target impossible to achieve. The document advocates for an immediate reduction in plastic production and the cessation of new petrochemical infrastructure to mitigate these impacts.