Austria joined coalition against plastic pollution

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Austria has joined the international “High Ambition Coalition to drive the end of global plastic pollution.”

In early March 2022, the UN Environment Assembly paved the way for the first time for an international and legally binding instrument to end global plastic pollution by 2040. According to an Environment Ministry statement, the convention is now to be drafted by 2024.

According to the statement, the convention will regulate all types of plastic waste, including microplastics, and the entire life cycle of plastics – from production and consumption to waste and recycling. The negotiations will take place in Uruguay from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2.

“Plastic in nature pollutes our soils and our waters. It harms animals and becomes a health risk for humans throughout the food chain. We must finally end global plastic pollution,” stressed Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens).

Ministry of Health: Plastic production has increased twentyfold
According to the ministry, global plastic production has increased twentyfold in the past 50 years. Less than ten percent of it is recycled. Much of the plastic waste ends up in landfills or nature. “Microplastics are already found everywhere – in the environment, in food, and even in the human body,” the release said. According to the Organization for Scientific Cooperation and Development (OECD), global plastic consumption will double by 2060.

In addition to Austria, the following countries are members of the High Ambition Coalition: Rwanda, Norway, Canada, Peru, Germany, Senegal, Georgia, Korea, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Portugal, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Costa Rica, Iceland, Ecuador, France, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Ghana, Monaco, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Seychelles, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Cape Verde, and Burkina Faso.