Big Plastic Big Oil Big Emissions
Cap plastic production now.
THE CHALLENGE
Plastic is the oil and gas industry’s plan B. As of today, it represents 12% of the world’s oil demand and 8.5% of gas demand.
To tackle climate change, protect our health and prevent pollution, we need to cap production now.
Companies producing plastics are the same ones causing the climate crisis. They’re investing billions to double or triple production by 2050.
The Global Plastics Treaty is a once in a generation opportunity to end plastic pollution and contain greenhouse gas emissions.
Big Oil is lobbying to weaken the Global Plastics Treaty. Countries must stand firm and cap plastic production.
Climate
Plastics threaten our climate goals
Plastic is made primarily from crude oil. Today, 5.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from plastic production.
On current plans, that figure will double by 2050.
The production of petrochemicals and plastics is expected to be one of the largest growth drivers of oil demand to 2050.
The Economy
Increasing plastic production makes no economic sense
The plastics industry is suffering from oversupply, due to the large number of plants developed in China and the Middle East in recent years.
The consultancy Wood Mackenzie estimates around 24% of global petrochemical capacity is at risk of permanent closure by 2028 due to declining profitability.
Plastics use projections
Projections from 2022 ↗
“The global plastic treaty presents a historic opportunity to tackle the plastic pollution and also provide a level playing field to design upstream and downstream policies and measures to address GHG emissions from the primary plastic production globally and at scale.”
Our Health
Plastic pollution is driving a global health crisis
Scientists have found that humans have microplastics in our blood, livers, lungs, kidneys and reproductive organs.
Microplastics have also crossed protective barriers into our brains and hearts. A recent study points to the possibility that they can increase the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, or death.
Plastic Waste
Recycling alone won’t solve the plastics crisis
Globally, just 9% of plastic waste is ever recycled.
While some recycling is needed, it has simply
failed to keep up with the exponential growth
of plastic production.
GLOBAL PLASTIC WASTE
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RECYCLED
8.9%
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INCINERATED
19.2%
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LANDFILL OR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
71.6%
“The implementation of stringent policies along the plastics lifecycle in all countries can prevent growth in primary plastics production from 2020 levels and nearly end plastic leakage to the environment by 2040.”
The Goal
What an ambitious treaty should look like
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01
Commitment to cap and begin to reduce plastic production.
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02
Ban all unnecessary plastic products that are highly polluting, including single-use items and excessive packaging.
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03
Promotion of reuse systems over false solutions like recycling.
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04
Creation of clear rules for how plastic products should be designed to limit their use.
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05
Chemicals and polymers that are hazardous or of concern must be fully identified and eliminated.
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06
Implement a financial mechanism to fund waste management in developing countries.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NEXT
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Leaders and decision makers
Ensure a cap on plastic production is included in the Global Plastics Treaty
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Journalists
Find resources on the Global Plastics Treaty and a cap on production here