Divya Datt, Programme Management Officer at UNEP speaks on the global battle against plastic pollution

In a compelling session, Divya Datt, Programme Management Officer at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) India, provided profound insights into the global battle against plastic pollution.

Datt began by acknowledging the severity of the plastic crisis, stressing its pervasive impact on the environment, biodiversity, and climate. She starkly presented the alarming projection for 2050, where oceans could contain more plastic than fish, and humans might unwittingly consume a credit card’s worth of microplastics each week.

Highlighting UNEP’s pivotal role, Datt affirmed, “India has been a pioneer in addressing the plastic issue,” commending the nation’s initiatives such as the ban on 19 single-use plastic products and the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) guidelines. She urged stakeholders to view these regulations as opportunities for a burgeoning industry, stating, “This needs to be seen as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.”

Datt underlined the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and local bodies, emphasising, “It is in everyone’s interest to implement the agreement.” Encouraging businesses to embrace the challenge, she added, “The regulation and the whole policy framework on plastics need to be seen as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.”

In her concluding remarks, Datt stressed the need for joint efforts in addressing the triple planetary crisis and invited industry representatives to engage in UNEP’s stakeholder consultations. She affirmed, “There is no silver bullet to addressing plastics,” emphasising the significance of collective action.