PIB Analysis for UPSC CSE
Topics Covered
- Resolutions on Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at Fourth United Nations Environment Assembly
1 . Resolutions on Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at Fourth United Nations Environment Assembly
Context : In a significant first, India piloted resolutions on two important global environment issues relating to Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at the fourth session of United Nations Environment Assembly. The theme of the UNEA this year was Innovative Solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable production and consumption.
About the Resolutions
- The global nitrogen use efficiency is low, resulting in pollution by reactive nitrogen which threatens human health, eco system services, contributes to climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion.
- Only a small proportion of the plastics produced globally are recycled with most of it damaging the environment and aquatic bio-diversity.
- Both these are global challenges and the resolutions piloted by India at the UNEA are vital first steps towards addressing these issues and attracting focus of the global community.
- UNEA adopted both the resolutions with consensus.
About the Resolution
- The resolution on addressing single-use plastic pollution urges member states to develop national or regional plans, identify environment-friendly alternatives, work with research organisations and the industry to develop such alternatives, improve waste management practices.
- The Prime Minister had said India would phase out single-use plastic by 2022 during his World Environment Day speech in 2018.
- This is the context for India to bring up the resolution and after tough negotiations, it was accepted.