G20 Countries agree to tackle ocean plastic waste

20-Jun-19

The Group of 20 major economies said they agreed a deal to reduce plastic waste that is choking the seas at a meeting in Japan on Sunday. G20 member countries committed to reducing plastic waste but gave little detail on how that would be done. They added that the steps would be voluntary and progress would be reported once a year.

Plastic pollution has become a global concern, particularly after bans imposed by China and other countries on the import of plastic waste from overseas. Many countries, including Japan, have seen their waste pile up as a consequence. The framework agreed at the meeting would be the first to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean involving not only rich nations but emerging economies as well.