G7 environment ministers have pledged to eliminate plastic contamination by the year 2040.
Sunday marked the conclusion of a two-day meeting in the Japanese city of Sapporo. It exceeds the target date of 2050 established by the G20 in 2019 as a global goal.
German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke stated in a statement that “cheap plastic for disposable products has become more prevalent in industrialized countries.”
In light of this, it is crucial that the G7 commits to a swift end to plastic waste.
By the end of 2024, a legally binding agreement should have been negotiated.
According to the WWF, between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic waste infiltrate the oceans, lakes, and rivers annually.
Japan is the current president of the G7, along with the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy.