WWF Report: A New Treaty on Plastic Pollution: Perspectives from Asia

A New Treaty on Plastic Pollution: Perspectives from Asia

26 October 2021

Marine plastic pollution is a severe transboundary problem that is rapidly worsening, especially in the wake of COVID-19. A coordinated global response is crucial in the fight against this problem. In a groundbreaking report launched on 26 October 2021, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) proposes a new global plastic pollution treaty.

This report is the product of dialogues with governments in the Asia-Pacific region, and research conducted by the Ecologic Institute; the University of the Philippines Law Center’s Institute of International Legal Studies; Alternative Law Groups; the National University of Singapore’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL); and Thammasat University Faculty of Law’s Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Law. APCEL was the institutional rapporteur for Indonesia and Singapore.

At the virtual launch, Dr. Heidi Stockhaus (Ecologic Institute) began by outlining the report’s objectives and methodology. Jacqueline Espenilla (University of the Philippines Law Center’s Institute of International Legal Studies) followed by introducing the national and regional solutions Asia-Pacific countries are implementing to tackle plastic pollution, to phase out single-use plastics and to extend producer responsibilities. This diversity of solutions shows that there is no regional harmonization in the fight against marine plastic pollution.

Genee Mislang (Alternative Law Groups) explained that current solutions are hindered by challenges including a lack of data at every stage of the plastic lifecycle, gaps in knowledge and monitoring efforts, and insufficient industry engagement. Asia’s rapid economic development and the rise of the middle class in recent decades has only increased single-use plastic consumption at a rate that far outpaces plastic regulation and waste management.

WWF’s report responds to these issues by proposing a new global treaty against plastic pollution. Dr. Stockhaus elaborated on how the treaty will take on a hybrid approach with both binding and non-binding elements. It will be modelled on the Paris Agreement to encourage bottom-up action and greater involvement of non-state actors. In addition to the common elements of treaties (i.e., support mechanisms, financing, monitoring and reporting, implementation and compliance), this global plastics treaty should also be tailored to the marine plastics problem. Specifically, it should embody a comprehensive “lifecycle approach” and impose obligations, such as extended producer responsibility, on relevant actors to prevent plastic pollution. It should also address microplastics.

Government representatives from Thailand, the Philippines, and Viet Nam were invited to speak. They expressed their desire and willingness to cooperate with other countries, regionally and internationally, to create effective solutions for the marine plastics problem. During the live Q&A session, the panelists answered questions from the audience on matters such as the role corporations might play in the creation and implementation of a global plastics treaty.

Dr Linda Yanti Sulistiawati (APCEL) delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing the importance of constructive dialogue and collaboration during these early stages of trying to create an effective global framework for plastics management.

Download the report here.