Page 51 - Plastics News Issue September2025
P. 51
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
It also raises alarm over the threat to climate due The report urged countries to take bold action—
to plastics. In the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) re- phase out single-use plastics, strengthen waste
gion, greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic collection, and invest in recycling systems. Most
lifecycle — including production and waste man- importantly, it stressed the need for regional co-
agement — are projected to nearly double from operation, as plastic pollution crosses borders.
0.6 GtCO2e in 2022 to over 1 GtCO2e in 2050,
mainly driven by continued demand for primary “Southeast and East Asia can become a global
plastic production. model for tackling plastic pollution and advanc-
ing circular economy solutions,” said OECD Sec-
The report warned that without stronger and retary-General Mathias Cormann. “With stronger
more effective policies, the climate impact of regional cooperation, ambitious policies, and tar-
plastics will worsen — further accelerating global geted investments, the region could nearly elimi-
warming. nate plastic leakage by 2050 — bringing lasting
benefits to people, ecosystems and the global
Conclusion: Call for bold action ahead of final economy,” he added.
negotiations
Final summary: The OECD report warns that
With the final round of UN negotiations on a plastic use and waste in Southeast and East Asia
global plastics treaty scheduled from August could nearly double by 2050 without urgent
5-14, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, the OECD policy changes. The ASEAN Plus Three region,
report comes at a crucial moment. It outlined a including China, Japan, and South Korea, faces
clear path for Southeast and East Asia to tackle a significant challenge with plastic waste esca-
plastic pollution and shows how the region can lating risks to ecosystems, with plastic pollution
lead by example globally.
threatening biodiversity and human wellbeing.
September 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 51
