Reacción a "Plastic pollution reaches 52 million tonnes per year globally"

The paper provides an estimate of plastic emissions from different countries and regions of the world, and although a calibration and validation of the model results is lacking, it presents a somewhat more detailed methodology than previous studies. The main conclusions identify some countries in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia as major plastic emitters. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of what is at stake in November in South Korea, where the fifth (and final) session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, will take place. 

Plastic pollution encompasses the triple global crisis: climate emergency, pollution and biodiversity loss. Proposals are often limited to waste management and mitigation measures, however, it is essential to address preventive measures at the beginning of the chain. This means that measures should be agreed that lead to a reduction of non-essential products and simplification of plastic chemistry, with safe and sustainable design of plastic products, accompanied by incentives for profound changes under a holistic approach and a just transition with a focus on human rights and nature. We also need measures to involve all actors, be based on scientific evidence, and be based on the need for a sustainable and safe design of plastics products.