Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution. South Africa Revisits Position on New Global Agreement

Did you know that plastic consumption demand in Africa is set to increase by 375% from 2015 to 2060, fuelled by predicted GDP and population increases. If this continues unabated then Africa would follow Asia in becoming the next regional plastic pollution hotspot. Fortunately, South Africa has realised it needs to be proactive to make sure this doesn’t become a reality.

This week the Cabinet adopted South Africa’s negotiating mandate on the draft resolution of an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. This is to be tabled at the resumed 5th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 28 February to 2 March 2022.