Introduction
Plastics are everywhere now even in the deepest part of the oceans. At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, and plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments (UNEP, 2024). The result is an estimated $13 billion in annual environmental damage to marine ecosystems. Plastic pollution affects marine life through various pathways, including ingestion, entanglement, toxic impacts, and more. In a 2016 report, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognized that marine debris is a globally significant stressor on the marine and coastal environment, as studies show that almost 800 marine species are affected by plastic pollution.
Given the persistent nature of plastic and its toxicity, plastic pollution is a significant threat to biodiversity. It threatens ecosystems, animal and plant species, impeding their ability to deliver essential services to humanity. While the leakage of plastics into the ocean and the subsequent impacts of marine life has been most studied, plastic pollution also affect freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Indeed, plastic and chemical leakage into the environment may arise at various stage of the plastics life cycle, and the resulting pollutants are transported around the globe through air and oceans streams. Environmental degradation occurs in the upstream, as extraction, fracking, production of plastics and chemical additives release substantial amounts of toxic substances into the air and contaminate the local environment. Disposal is also problematic: incineration of plastic waste releases toxic chemicals and micro- and nano-plastics into the air, while landfills contaminate soil and water. All these elements then impact biodiversity both locally and globally.
Objective:
The policy dialogue will present an overarching understanding of the linkages through insights from experts on the conceptual framework, research and insights from policies by bringing together stakeholders from international and multilateral organizations, research institutions, and policy-think tanks, with the common agenda to address the grim challenge of plastic pollution. It will highlight and examine how plastic pollution disrupts ecosystems, endangers wildlife, and contributes to biodiversity decline across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. We will align the discussions with global frameworks such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Global Plastics Treaty, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reinforce commitments toward biodiversity conservation and pollution reduction.
For more information please contact-
Ms. Shweta Tyagi
Chief Functionary
India Water Foundation
Email: shweta.tyagi@indiawaterfoundation.org
Mobile: +91 9899819074