Historic resolution on Plastic Pollution adopted by 175 countries at the fifth United Nations Enviro

Last Updated04/03/2022

The resumed session of the 5th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) held from 28th February 2022 to 2nd March 2022 in Nairobi,
It considered three draft resolutions to address plastic pollution.

Addressing plastic pollution is recognized as a global environmental challenge.
The draft resolution submitted by India called for immediate collective voluntary action by countries.
India engaged constructively with all member states in UNEA 5.2 to develop consensus on the resolution for driving global action on plastic pollution.
It set up an intergovernmental negotiating committee for a new international legally binding treaty.

On India's insistence the principle of national circumstances and capability while taking actions to address plastic pollution was included in the text of the resolution
It will allow developing countries to follow their development trajectories.
India also stood for not mandating the intergovernmental negotiating committee with development of targets, definitions, formats and methodologies.
The provision for immediate collective voluntary actions by the countries was also included to address plastic pollution on an urgent and continual basis.
After long protracted negotiations, the principal objectives of India’s draft resolution on “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument” adopted in the resumed 5th session of UNEA.

Under the resolution the Member States were called to continue and step up activities and adopt voluntary measures to combat plastic pollution.
It includes measures related to sustainable consumption and production.
Developing and implementing national action plans.
Foster international action and initiatives under respective national regulatory frameworks.
On a voluntary basis, provide statistical information on environmentally sound management of plastic waste.
The resolution requests the Executive Director to convene a forum in conjunction with the first session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee.
It aims to access existing initiatives, open to all stakeholders to exchange information and activities related to plastic pollution.

UNEA 5.2 will be remembered for agreeing for collective global action while respecting national circumstances and capabilities.
The Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility on plastic packaging have also been notified.
The single use plastic ban coupled with extended producer responsibility guidelines provide a legal framework for addressing plastic pollution.