Relevance: GS Paper III

News Excerpt: 

The Champions of the Earth 2023 have been announced by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) even as nations prepare to meet in Nairobi to discuss a globally binding plastic treaty.

About Champions of The Earth Award, 2023 

• The UN's highest environmental honor ‘Champions of the Earth award’ recognizes individuals, groups, and organizations whose efforts have a significant environmental impact.

• The winners for 2023 are working to eliminate plastic pollution through solutions and legislation. Since 2005, the UN recognized heroes who inspire, and encourage others to join them and defend a better, more sustainable future.
  
  

• Champions of the Earth are celebrated in four categories:
  
  

World-Wide Initiatives Covered Under Champions of the Earth Award 2023

• According to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), "Plastic pollution is a deeply concerning strand of the triple planetary crisis," according to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). 

• Plastic pollution must be eliminated for the sake of our health and the environment. To minimize the amount of plastics produced and eliminate single-use plastics and alternatives that avoid the negative environmental and social repercussions associated with plastic pollution, a total revolution is required."

The Champions of the Earth awardees: 

• Mayor Josefina Belmonte of Quezon City, Philippines, was recognised in the Policy Leadership category for her role in advancing environmental and social action through several initiatives. Her initiatives include single-use plastic restrictions, a plastic pollution trade-in scheme, refill stations for necessities, and advocacy for strong global plastics regulation.

• The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (United Kingdom), which was awarded in the Inspiration and Action category, has been a leader in mainstreaming a lifecycle approach, including for plastics. It is the driving force for the Global Commitment to UNEP.

• Blue Circle (China), recognised in the Entrepreneurial Vision category, uses blockchain technology and the Internet of Things to monitor and track the entire lifecycle of plastic pollution, from collection to regeneration, re-manufacturing, and re-sale. It has gathered approximately 10,700 tonnes of marine garbage, making it the largest marine plastic waste collection initiative in China.

• José Manuel Moller (Chile), who was also recognised in the Entrepreneurial Vision category, is the founder of Algramo, a social enterprise dedicated to offering refill services that minimise plastic pollution while simultaneously lowering the cost of everyday needs.

Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of synthetic plastic items in the environment to the point where they cause difficulties for wildlife and their habitats, as well as human populations.

• Plastic pollution is a global problem. Every year, between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic environments, damaging lakes, rivers, and seas.

• Plastic packaging is the reason for the majority (36%) of plastic production. 46 per cent of plastic waste is landfilled, 22 per cent becomes litter, 17 per cent is incinerated and 15 per cent is collected for recycling, with less than 9 per cent recycled after losses.  

Globally Initiatives Taken for Plastic Pollution

• Global Tourism Plastics Initiative: The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative was taken by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). UNWTO unites the tourism industry behind a shared vision for addressing the core causes of plastic waste. 

• Plastic Pollution Treaty: In November 2023, governments will come together in Nairobi for the third round of negotiations for a global treaty to end plastic pollution. The signing of this agreement will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to establish a worldwide solution to the world's increasing crisis. The goal is to complete discussions and produce a global, legally binding plastics treaty by the end of 2024..

•  Circular Economy Action Plan: In 2015, the EU created a Circular Economy Action Plan which later consisted of the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. This proposal aims at strengthening recycling standards while also giving a more science-based approach to legislation.  

• Ban on Single-Use Plastics: India passed a ban on single-use plastic products from 1st July 2022, under the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021. The production, distribution, and use of single-use plastic products such as straws, cutlery, earphones, and plastic sticks fall under this ban.

Way Forward

• Plastic pollution can disrupt habitats and natural processes, hindering ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and directly damaging the livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being of millions of people. There is an urgent need for coordinated, systematic monitoring of plastic pollution.

• Recycling of plastics is a method for the production of the vital resource of liquid and gaseous fuels. Thermal and catalytic degradation, and gasification are alternative methods for recycling plastic waste to produce fuel having properties similar to commercial fuels. 

• Chandrayan used materials made of a combination of metals, glass, and plastic which is a suitable example for the recycling of plastics. 

PYQ

Q1). What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of the water bodies into urban land use? Explain with examples (2021)