Human Rights and the Global Plastics Treaty to Protect Health, Ocean Ecosystems and Our Climate

What is it about?

The global plastics pollution crisis has visible and invisible effects on marine, land, and air environments. Stark images of marine life entangled in debris reveal the immediate damage, while micro- and nano-plastics pose a hidden threat to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. Plastics production, fueled by fossil fuels, has surged, burdening the world with unsustainable waste management practices that exacerbate climate change. Plastics waste is predominantly landfilled, mismanaged, or incinerated, generating toxic air pollution and contaminating food chains. Disproportionate exposure rates to plastics contamination affect vulnerable groups. A coordinated international effort is required, and an International Negotiating Committee is set to draft an internationally binding legal instrument by 2025. This article argues for integrating the human right to health and a healthy environment in the treaty to combat plastics pollution, accelerate climate action, to effectively protect marine life and human rights.

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