The Climate Of Business #89: How can businesses tackle the plastics issue?

Climate Change Reality

• Nations split on how to cut plastic pollution after week of UN talks (Financial Times)
• Our current global power system accounts for 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions per year (World Research Institute)?
• Climate crisis: rich nations undermining work to help poor countries, research suggests (The Guardian)
• Canada wildfires spread to new areas, prompting more evacuations (Al Jazeera)

• Europe is struggling with a precarious water situation ahead of another drought-riven summer (CNBC)
• Temperature records shattered across Asia as heatwaves continue (Euronews)
• How climate change is causing 'mega-fires' and forcing people to migrate in Portugal (Euronews)
• Amnesty calls for global action to mitigate heatwaves in Pakistan (Al Jazeera)
• 8 unexpected side effects of climate change (World Economic Forum)
• Rethink, reform, rebuild: 7 steps to save the Amazon (The Guardian)

Business Climate Reality

• The money behind the coming wave of climate litigation (Financial Times)
• Amazon Workers Walk Out Over Layoffs and Broken Climate Promises (WIRED)
• Companies ‘greenhushing’ to avoid scrutiny of climate goals (The Guardian)
• Delta Air Lines hit with proposed class action over carbon neutral claims (CNBC)
• France's ban on domestic flights doesn't go far enough, say experts (Euronews)

• Parliament shows red card to out-of-control fashion industry (EEB)
• New framework will allow firms to assess their impact on nature (The Guardian)
• Using pig fat as green jet fuel will hurt planet, experts warn (BBC)
• EU regulators flag rising greenwashing practices by banks (Financial Times)
• What we need now from the leadership of COP28 (Al Jazeera)

Reality Check

Plastics. They’ve quickly become an unavoidable focus for global environmentalists and policy-makers in the pursuit of meeting universally binding environmental agreements.

But why?

Plastics consist of a group of materials composed of polymers, which are large molecules formed by repeating the same arrangement of atoms. When these molecules are arranged sequentially, they form a significantly intricate complex that can be conveniently shaped, moulded, and modified. These structures pose significant challenges in terms of natural digestion and decomposition, as they are exceptionally resilient and nearly impervious to organic breakdown which causes a significant harm to the environment.

According to the United Nations Environment Program, humanity produces more than 430 million tons of plastic annually, two-thirds of which are short-lived products that soon become waste, filling the ocean and, often, working their way into the human food chain. Meanwhile, plastic waste produced globally is set to almost triple by 2060, with about half ending up in landfill and under a fifth recycled.?

Recapping the Plastic Pollution Summit in Paris

A United Nations committee convened in Paris last week to discuss the development of a significant treaty aimed at ending global plastic pollution. The committee, called the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for Plastics, is tasked with creating the first international and legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments. The second meeting, out of a total of five, is currently underway in Paris, with the aim of finalising the negotiations by the end of 2024.?

During the first meeting held in Uruguay, various countries advocated for global mandates, national solutions, or a combination of both. The short timeline for negotiations necessitated that decisions regarding the treaty's objectives and scope be made in the current session. However, achieving consensus proved challenging among the 2,000 participants from nearly 200 countries that attended the meeting.

There are differing views on the treaty's focus. The "high ambition coalition," led by Norway and Rwanda, seeks a comprehensive treaty that prioritises human health and the environment. They propose limitations on plastic production and restrictions on certain chemicals used in plastics. Their objective is to create an international, legally binding instrument to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040, aiming to safeguard human health, the environment, biodiversity, and address climate change.?

On the other hand, some countries, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China, prefer a narrower scope that primarily addresses plastic waste and promotes increased recycling. These nations argue that national plans would enable governments to target the most significant sources and types of plastic pollution. Many plastics and chemical companies support this approach, advocating for a plastic waste treaty that emphasises recycling.

Following a week of intense negotiations, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee has been given a mandate to prepare an initial draft text on reducing global plastic pollution by the end of the year. The international community has set a deadline of the end of 2024 to reach a legally binding global treaty. Subsequent meetings will take place in Kenya, Canada, and South Korea, leading to the conclusion of the negotiations.

Beyond the treaty, what are the key policies governing plastics moving forward?

There have been several significant laws introduced in the past year which aim to promote plastic-free living. Firstly, alongside the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) stating that a legally binding agreement on the environmentally sound use of plastic is to be concluded by 2024, disposable carrier bags were prohibited - meaning certain plastic bags are no longer allowed to cross European shop counters. Since then, there has also been a mandatory deposit on disposable drinks bottles, which will also be levied on plastic bottles of milk drinks beginning in 2024. Also in 2022, the EU decided that all EU citizens have a "right to repair". The law is intended to make goods more durable and repairable.?

Moving forward, the proposed revision of the EU legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste comes into play in 2023. This legislation aims to put the packaging sector on track to climate neutrality by 2050. Also in 2023, caterers, delivery services and restaurants must also make their contribution to waste prevention. They must now offer reusable containers as an alternative to single-use plastic for to-go food. Finally, from 2025 onwards; disposable beverage bottles must also be made from at least 25 percent recycled plastic.?

To learn more about the EU’s crackdown on plastic, read here

5 key steps to reducing plastic today

Despite the split viewpoints between nations after a week of UN talks regarding the best way to cut down on plastic-pollution; living a plastic-free life does not solely lie in the hands of policymakers. However, it is up to all stakeholders of climate change to take action to lead plastic-free lives whether it be at home, or in the office.?

1. Communicate the dangers of plastic

The human body is organic, not plastic. However, plastic contains a large number of toxins and micro-particles that enter your system. A recent study conducted by Environmental Science and Technology journal found that humans consume around 5g of micro-plastic each week - the weight of a credit card. Therefore, communicating the dangers of plastic to all stakeholders of climate change, such as your team at work, is absolutely vital to collaboratively creating a plastic-free world.?

2. Get out of the habit of purchasing bottled water

Nearly 40% of bottled water is reprocessed tap water, meaning tap water is a sustainable alternative to bottled water. Not only is tap water cheap and plastic-free, it tastes exactly the same - if not better- than bottled water. As such, installing a drinking water filter in the office is a key step to phasing out plastic.?

3. Work clean

Whilst common office stationery such as notebooks and pens are often essential to everyday activities, most of these tools are composed of plastic. Therefore, becoming a conscious consumer by choosing sustainable alternatives such as recycled paper, bamboo pens and digital alternatives is a fundamental step to reducing the environmental harms of plastic. Take initiative and talk to your office manager about replacing plastic-heavy office tools with sustainable alternatives.

4. Replace single-use cutlery?

Plastic forks and knives that will last for your lunch-time will take hundreds of years to decompose. Meanwhile, the Ocean conservancy lists cutlery as the most dangerous items to sea turtles and birds. Therefore, bringing reusable cutlery from home, or switching to sustainable alternatives such as bamboo cutlery, is key to reducing the impact of plastic upon not only biodiversity, but the planet.?

5. Buy more bulk food and fewer packaged products

Purchasing groceries in bulk is key to minimising single-use plastics, which pose a significant threat to the environment. Purchasing in bulk should be done with limitations to ensure items are not wasted.?

For a comprehensive guide on creating a plastic-free office, read here

Plastics will ultimately continue to be a critical focus for global environmentalists and policy-makers in the pursuit of meeting environmental agreements such as the Paris Agreement. Recent efforts at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for Plastics to create the first international and legally binding treaty on plastic pollution furthermore means that transitioning away from plastic should be a strategic priority for any businesses who wish to remain competitive. Meanwhile, the aforementioned current and future policies regulating plastics make undergoing green transition ever-so vital to global environmental efforts.?

Carbon Price