The Blind Spot for the Global Plastics Treaty: Why Data Matters
Achieving an end to plastics pollution will require a detailed evidence base for decision-making.
Achieving an end to plastics pollution will require a detailed evidence base for decision-making.
For the past two years, countries have been negotiating the first-ever legally binding global agreement to end plastics pollution. We are now weeks away from what is meant to be the  to determine the scope, mechanisms, governance and obligations of this new agreement. Despite the level of uncertainty that remains in terms of what shape the final agreement will take, one fundamental element remains clear: comprehensive, reliable data will be essential to its success.Ìý
Yet, in the most recent non-paper released by the Chair () of the  (INC) - data was noticeably absent.ÌýÂ
Although this non-paper has no formal status, and is only meant to offer a guide for the future negotiations, data and the concept of evidence-based decision making and reporting is a troubling omission. This is despite many effective provisions being proposed by Parties in the .Ìý
We cant manage what we cant measure. Achieving an end to plastics pollution and protecting human health will require a detailed understanding on plastics flows in each national economy. It will be important to ensure data is brought back into the agreement at .Ìý
To solve the plastics crisis, we first need to understand its true magnitude and the impact of our efforts to address it.ÌýÂ
Currently, our grasp of global plastics production, consumption, and waste patterns remains surprisingly limited. While we know that , significant gaps exist in our knowledge of how this plastic moves through the global economy and environment.Ìý
Without addressing these data gaps, it becomes impossible to:Â
It will also pose challenges for verification measures, that will be crucial for any potential market mechanisms. The lack of reliable and comparable data makes it difficult to verify progress claims or ensure the integrity of any trading schemes or offset programs that might be implemented as part of the global effort to combat plastic pollution.Ìý
The plastics lifecycle is complex and global. Plastic products may be manufactured in one country, consumed in another, and end up as waste in yet another. Currently, we lack standardized methods to track these flows across borders. This data gap makes it challenging to understand where interventions are most needed, and which countries might require additional support in managing the flow of plastics through their economy and ultimately addressing plastic waste.Ìý
Previous environmental agreements recognise the crucial role of data, with provisions requiring monitoring and reporting based on data in the agreement itself. For example, the Montreal Protocol's success in addressing ozone depletion was largely due to its robust monitoring and reporting requirements and the compilation of data submitted into a . Similarly, the Paris Agreement relies on standardized emissions reporting to track progress toward climate goals coupled with nationally determined contributions. The plastics treaty can learn from these examples.Ìý
Although much of the detail regarding reporting, guidance and methodologies will need to be developed in future decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the new agreement, it is important that the agreement itself requires the collection and compilation of national data and establishes the importance of the best-available science and data.ÌýÂ
As negotiators convene in Busan, South Korea at INC-5 later this month, ensuring that data is seen as a critical building block for success must be a priority.ÌýÂ
This includes:Â
Without these fundamental elements, the treaty risks becoming a well-intentioned but ineffective agreement. Â
With them, we can create a powerful tool for addressing one of our most pressing environmental challenges in a way that builds collective capacity, doesn’t leave anyone behind and ensures evidence-based decision-making and policy.Ìý
The success of the global plastics treaty will largely depend on our ability to measure, monitor, and manage plastic flows through the global and national economy.ÌýÂ
By prioritizing data collection now, we can build a strong foundation for effective action against plastic pollution. The challenge is significant, but the cost of flying blind is far greater. Only with robust data can we hope to turn the tide on plastic pollution and create a cleaner, more sustainable future.Ìý