Reducing plastic waste

This week, as delegates from around the world gather in Busan, South Korea, to finalize details for a global plastics treaty, we're exploring one of the central points of debate for the negotiations, some of the potential shortfalls of bioplastics, and how an experiment unearthed the toxic chemicals senior-level negotiators were exposed to in plastics.

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Plastic treaty negotiations progress: Negotiations continued into the weekend at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution in Busan, South Korea. As delegations work towards a global treaty to address plastic pollution, the most contentious proposal centers on a limit on the amount of plastics companies will be allowed to produce. A draft submitted by Panama's delegation and supported by more than 100 countries does not include a numerical target but says countries will adopt one at a later conference. A record number of 220 fossil fuel and chemical industry representatives attended the negotiations, making the cohort larger than any other delegation.

Concern over the climate credentials of bioplastics: The world's plastic production significantly contributes to waste and pollution, with over 75% of the 460 million tonnes of plastic produced in 2019 becoming waste and plastics accounting for about 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To address this issue, innovators are shifting towards biological alternatives, known as bioplastics, which are derived from organic, renewable sources such as corn, seaweed, or sugarcane, that have a smaller carbon footprint and can be engineered to biodegrade. Start-ups like BioPak, Loliware, Sway, and Sparxell are experimenting with different materials and focusing on various product areas, such as takeaway packaging, drinking straws, and plant-based pigments. The production of bioplastics is increasing, with Statista predicting an output of 7.4 million tonnes by 2028 and research company Precedence expecting the market's value to rise to $105 billion in the next decade. Policymakers are encouraging the growth of bioplastics, with the US proposing a goal of replacing 90% of conventional plastics with bio-based alternatives within the next 20 years and the EU launching a policy framework for bioplastics in 2022. However, the green credentials of bioplastics are facing scrutiny, as many "compostable" bioplastics require industrial composting facilities, and some bioplastics are chemically identical to fossil fuel-based versions or contain toxic additives. A 2020 study found that bio-based/biodegradable materials and conventional plastics are similarly toxic, and some commercial facilities refuse to accept even supposedly compostable varieties.

"It’s always going to be about money and, right now, because plastic is so heavily subsidized, no other material can compete." - Sian Sutherland, Co-founder, A Plastic Planet 

Experiment exposes chemicals found in plastics: A recent experiment featured 12 high-ranking United Nations officials wearing silicone wristbands to measure their exposure to toxic chemicals found in plastics. The wristbands, which mimic the way the human body absorbs chemicals, were worn by the officials, including the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, for five days earlier this year. The results showed each official was exposed to more than 30 different chemicals. The chemicals found in the wristbands are known or suspected to disrupt the human endocrine system and play a role in reproductive disorders, cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and other serious health conditions, with many being unregulated at a global level.

New documentary focuses on consumption: The Netflix documentary "Buy Now!" explores the role of consumer goods companies in the overconsumption crisis, highlighting their responsibility for the resulting waste and pollution. The film's producer aimed to create a documentary that would shift the focus from waste and landfills to the companies producing the goods that become waste. The film promotes the policy of "extended producer responsibility" (EPR), which holds companies accountable for the waste generated by their products rather than placing the responsibility solely on consumers.

Experts believe China has hit or is near peak emissions: A recent survey of 44 experts found 44% believe China's carbon dioxide emissions have either peaked or will peak by 2025, up from 21% in 2023 and 15% in 2022, reflecting cautious optimism about Beijing's environmental progress. China's boom in green energy and electric vehicles has exceeded expectations, with more than half of new cars sold being electric for three months in a row in 2024 and a decline in the heavily polluting building industry.

Rivian receives $6.6 billion loan for Georgia factory: The Biden Administration announced a $6.6 billion loan to Rivian Automotive to build a factory in Georgia that had stalled due to the company's struggles to become profitable. The loan, which includes $6 billion plus $600 million in interest, will be provided by the Department of Energy through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. The program, created in 2007, provides low-interest loans to make fuel-efficient vehicles and components and requires a "reasonable prospect of repayment" of the loan. The loan will enable Rivian to resume construction of its Georgia factory, which is projected to produce 200,000 vehicles per year in its first phase, with a second phase capable of another 200,000 vehicles per year. The factory will employ 7,500 workers and produce Rivian's R2 and R3 vehicles, which are smaller and more affordable than the company's current R1 models.

California proposes EV rebate that excludes Tesla: California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, has proposed a state-funded rebate program for electric vehicles (EVs) that could potentially exclude Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, due to a "market cap" element aimed at supporting smaller and newer EV manufacturers. The proposal is part of Newsom's effort to protect California's green subsidies from potential rollbacks by President-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened to eliminate the federal EV tax credit worth up to $7,500. Newsom stated that California would establish its own rebate scheme if Trump abolishes the federal tax credit, emphasizing the state's commitment to a "clean transportation future" and making EVs more affordable for residents. Musk responded to the potential exclusion on X, expressing his disagreement and highlighting that Tesla is the only company manufacturing EVs in California.

Malawi turns to batteries to bolster climate resilience: Malawi is constructing its first battery-energy system to protect its grid from cyclones that have caused significant damage in recent years. The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet is providing up to $20 million in funding for the 20-megawatt project, with the Malawian government and state utility ESCOM also contributing to the initiative. The project aims to complete the system by next year, which will provide backup power for households and businesses connected to the grid during outages caused by extreme weather events. Malawi's grid is heavily reliant on hydropower, accounting for over 60% of its 586 megawatts of installed capacity, making it susceptible to extreme weather events. The country also faces a significant energy gap, with three-quarters of its 21 million people lacking access to power, highlighting the need for initiatives like the battery-energy system to improve energy access and grid resilience.

Flow batteries store wind and solar power: Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, is rich in wind energy but struggles to harness it due to the lack of a reliable energy storage system. The island is turning to a new generation of batteries, specifically flow batteries, which use tanks of metallic liquid to stockpile massive amounts of energy, as a critical step toward replacing fossil fuel-based power plants. Hokkaido's flow battery farm, which opened in April 2022, was the biggest in the world at the time but was soon surpassed by a Chinese project that is eight times bigger and can deliver as much energy as an average US natural gas plant. The use of flow batteries and other energy storage systems is critical for the widespread adoption of renewable energy, as it allows for the reliable delivery of power whenever needed. 

Climate fund issues bond to spur investment: The Climate Investment Funds (CIF), a $12 billion multilateral climate fund within the World Bank, is planning to issue a $500 million bond to raise capital for investing in renewable energy and new technologies in developing economies over the next five to 10 years. The bond issuance is a rare move for a multilateral climate fund, as governments are struggling to provide the necessary financing to cut global emissions, with national contributions falling short of the vast amounts required to fight climate change. Private investors have expressed initial interest in the bond, with some asset managers preferring simpler formats that are easier to place in mandates and drum up more demand. The CIF aims to use the bond issuance to increase its multiplier effect, with investors asking the fund to raise its current 10:1 ratio to 25:1 by taking on more risk at a lower price.

UAE considers plan to penalize polluters: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is considering introducing a pollution-charging mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and solidify its position as a regional leader in the fight against climate change. The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is evaluating options proposed by Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency, including a cap-and-trade design similar to the European Union's Emissions Trading System. Other options include taxing companies that produce over 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year and an auction system similar to Germany's mechanism for heating and transporting fuels.