Human Rights Watch Calls for Phasing Out Fossil Fuels to End Plastic Pollution

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): New York City-headquartered international non-governmental organization, Human Rights Watch, reminded governments of various countries across the world who are indulged in negotiations for a Global Plastic Treaty, on the urgent need to address the role of fossil fuels in plastic production. The phasing out of fossil fuels is a key to end plastic pollution, it noted.

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The second round of negotiations on an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution is scheduled to commence on May 29^th, during which a “zero draft” treaty is likely to be formulated for consideration in the third round of talks, which will be held at a later date.

According to Katharina Rall, senior environment researcher at Human Rights Watch, the human rights violation caused by plastic pollution cannot be ended by bringing forth improvements in waste removal and recycling alone. The ultimate source of plastic pollution is fossil fuels, which needs to be addressed at the earliest, she said. As per estimates, almost 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels.

The production, use and disposal of plastics can cause significant harm to human rights to people across the globe and result in climate crisis.