20 environment ministers have agreed to adopt a new voluntary framework of actions to tackle the issue of marine plastic waste on a global scale.
Environment and energy ministers of the Group of 20 major economies met in Karuizawa (15-16 June), northwest of Tokyo, ahead of the G20 summit in Osaka, western Japan (28-29 June).
The new voluntary framework is aimed at enabling action on marine waste, after the G20 Hamburg Summit in Germany adopted the “G20 action plan on marine litter” in 2017.
Under the framework, G20 members will promote a “comprehensive life-cycle approach to prevent and reduce plastic litter discharge to the oceans through various measures and international cooperation”, according to reports by Reuters news agency.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he wants Japan to “lead the world” in reducing marine plastic waste
They will also share best practices, promote innovation and boost scientific monitoring and analytical methodologies.
The Japanese government made the announcement after hosting the two-day ministerial meeting.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he wants Japan to “lead the world” in reducing marine plastic waste, including developing “biodegradables and other innovations”.
According to estimates published by the UK government, every year more than 150 million tonnes of plastic waste pollute the world’s oceans.
It is estimated there are now 5.25 trillion pieces of ocean plastic debris, and a recent report estimates the quantity of plastic in the sea will treble by 2025.