By Jeff Kapembwa
Global efforts to mitigate and adapt climatic change effects might veer off course without joint efforts globally to redress the unabated plastic pollution, projected to more than double to 493 Million tons by 2060, Zambia’s Minister for Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu notes.
The stock of plastics accumulating in aquatic environments has tripled from 140 million recorded by 2019. The rapid inflow of bulky plastic substances and waste in the ocean, rivers and lakes at different processes had by 2019, accumulated 1.6 million with 1.7 million flowing into rivers and warns of severe effects of the ecosystem if unabated.
The rapid degradation of the ecosystem caused by plastic pollution threatens the environment, a challenge for Africa to devise durable policies to reverse the unabated plastic waste flows and leaks into the aquatic ecosystems yearly, all altering the natural habitats and processes.
Officiating at the the 19th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) hosted by Ethiopia from August 14-18 and themed: “Seizing opportunities and enhancing collaboration to address environmental challenges in Africa” Minister Nzovu advocates for full proof policies to combat the pollution, protect human health and the environment while accelerating sustainable economic development.
Other interventions included replicating global policies into Africa and moving away from the linear plastic economy, centred on producing, using and discarding the material to a circular plastic economy, at production point and later kept in the economy at its highest value for as long as possible.
The increased national ambitions to consume and produce more sustainably, the circular economy offers solutions to mitigate against the negative impacts of plastic pollution, climate change.
It further enables green growth and sustainable development across the continent. It ultimately contributes to protection of the environment and human health.
Zambia’s case study to determine its benefits and market potential of the circular proved revenue earnings estimated at US$712 million annually.
The separation of waste into wet and dry components in the context of a circular economy has potential to unlock about US$130 million for the 890,000 tons of valuable waste currently not recycled across Zambia, a call for mindset change and innovation on the continent.
“African countries need to encourage innovation and investment in a circular economy and provide incentives to businesses that do away with unnecessary plastics and save the planet from plastic pollution,” said Minister Nzovu.
Africa should strive to combat plastic pollution and protect human health through strengthening the science-policy interface at all levels.
There will be sustained investment in research and formulation of appropriate and research based policies to improve knowledge of the global impact of plastic pollution on the environment.
Players should promote effective and progressive action at the local and regional levels, recognizing the important role played by plastics in society.
Africa should sustain the fight against plastic pollution and protect human health and ensure the continent’s effective participation in global efforts towards formulation of |”the instrument,” based on a comprehensive approach, addressing the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design and disposal.
Africa must continue to call for delivery of a strong and ambitious deal to end plastic pollution. A deal that addresses plastics across the whole lifecycle and that is truly inclusive – engaging informal waste sector workers, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and academia.
Africa should continue providing leadership and ensure the Intergovernmental Committee delivers a deal ensuring support for developing nations in addressing plastic pollution.
At the same occasion, Greenpeace Africa challenged African states to remain resolved and not compromise on the negotiations for a treaty seeking to cap plastic production at the source and keep oil and gas used in the extraction of plastics in the ground.
“Governments must deliver this treaty to meaningfully tackle the plastic pollution crisis that communities across Africa are fighting against,” said Hellen Kahaso Dena, Greenpeace Africa’s Communication and Story Manager.
Scientifically, pollution from plastic substances is indubitably linked with climate change. If the demand and production of plastic packaging continues growing, CO2 emissions may reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030 since 99 percent of plastics are made from fossil feedstock.
That is the equivalent to the carbon emissions of three hundred, 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gasses have been powering economies for over 150 years, according to http.//www.mtpak.coffee.
Notably, over 99 percent of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. The subsequent burning of these fuels during the production process releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.
Graphics: https://www.greenpeace.org