Image: Plastic pollution by antoinegiret
Australia has joined 96 other nations while at the United Nations Oceans Conference in France in a global ‘wake-up call’ to end plastic pollution.
The United Nations Oceans Conference took place in Nice, France from Monday June 9 to Friday June 13. The conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica aimed to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
This year, the theme of the Conference was “Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. The Conference’s main aims are to support further and urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and identify further ways and means to support the implementation of SDG 14.
Environment Minister Murray Watt addressed the United Nations Ocean Conference stating that he was “pleased” to confirm the Australian government would financially support the establishment of an Australian Nation Decade Committee, calling it a “great way” to bring together many players who have an interest in the “sustainable management of our ocean”.
This was Senator Watt’s first international engagement as Australia’s new Environment Minister.
“It’s fitting that it’s about the ocean, because Australia is a marine nation, and the ocean is what connects us to the rest of the world. A healthy ocean is critical to Australia’s environment, economy and wellbeing,” Senator Watt said.
‘Wake-up call’ to end plastic pollution
As of Tuesday, 95 countries had signed on, with ministers and representatives reaffirming their shared ambition to end plastic pollution and protect human health and the environment from its harmful effects.
The release emphasised the need to identify new approaches and strengthen existing efforts, building on current instruments and fostering partnerships to ensure the swift conclusion and effective implementation of ongoing initiatives for ocean conservation and sustainable use.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) criticised the global plastic pollution treaty, stating that it was the “bare minimum to effectively tackle plastic pollution”.
“A treaty fit for purpose must go beyond vague aspirations and include a suite of specific, binding measures, including global bans on the most harmful plastics and chemicals, means to support implementation and a mechanism to strengthen them over time,” said Efraim Gomez, Global Director for Policy Impact at WWF International.
The global conservation organisation emphasised the urgency of ending plastic pollution, stating that with less than two months until INC-5.2, governments must recognise that this vision cannot be achieved through consensus alone.
“They must therefore prepare to use all the necessary tools to overcome further delays and deliver the treaty they promised. They have the vision; they have the support, and they have the tools to forge an effective treaty. Now they must deliver. We are already in overtime, and every day of delay adds another 30,000 tonnes of plastic to our oceans,” Gomez said.
Australia produces 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually
According to Clean Up Australia, Australia produces 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, equating to 100 kg per person. Of this, only 13% of plastic is recovered and 84% is sent to landfill.
Additionally, around 130,000 tonnes of the plastic we consume leaks into the marine environment each year.
By 2025 it is predicted that 99% of seabirds worldwide will have ingested plastic.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for comprehensive policy reform and stronger action on recycling and waste management to address the growing plastic crisis nationally and internationally.
