Last year, Germany, France, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union already expressed their ambition to stop plastic pollution. Now, for the first time, they also include an expected end date. According to the G7 statement, the plastic phasing out should be achieved by using more sustainable materials.
Pollution
In the last twenty years, plastic waste worldwide has doubled and, according to the OECD economic group, only 9 percent is recyclable. The United Nations fears that plastic pollution in the oceans will triple again by 2040.
The G7 countries also want to stop using fossil fuels faster, but have not set an end date for that goal. The French minister was eager to do so and even mentioned 2030 as a goal, but Japan and the US opposed it. Due to the current energy crisis, they have not wanted to commit to a year so close.