Regardless of rising considerations over plastic air pollution and the way it’s affecting human well being, international coverage progress on the matter is faltering.
Analysis from Trellis knowledge accomplice GlobeScan, together with ERM and Volans, reveals that sustainability consultants ranked a International Plastics Treaty as extremely impactful however among the many least possible actions out of 64 sustainability measures assessed. Whereas the analysis was performed previous to the newest treaty negotiations, treaty talks have stalled with out significant commitments.
The unlikelihood of a treaty is all of the extra urgent at a time when public concern over plastic air pollution is widespread. A Globescan research from final yr confirmed 70 % of individuals globally felt straight impacted by single-use plastic waste. The main concern of single-use plastic waste? Not local weather change or ocean air pollution, however the presence and impact of microplastics and chemical compounds within the human physique.
What this implies
The hole between the low feasibility of a worldwide treaty and the numerous public concern over the well being impacts of plastics presents each danger and alternative for enterprise. Manufacturers that take decisive motion to scale back plastics can construct client belief and credibility, whereas those who delay could face reputational challenges with more and more health-conscious audiences.
Based mostly on a survey of 844 sustainability practitioners in 72 international locations performed April-Might 2025 and a web based survey of greater than 30,000 folks throughout 31 markets performed in 2024.
