What changes could have the biggest impact?

What changes could have the biggest impact? Read our selection for December 2024:

Global plastic pollution: UN fails to agree on treaty
Ecodesign: new forum to develop sustainability criteria for products
Eurostat: new EU data on circular economy efforts

Global plastic pollution: UN fails to agree on treaty

Diplomats from nearly 200 countries gathered in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth negotiating session of the world’s first treaty to curb plastic pollution.

The ambition stems from the United Nations Environment Assembly in 2022, where heads of State and environment ministers agreed on a mandate to create a first-of-its-kind international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.

Despite the failure to sign an agreement, UN environment chief Inger Andersen stated very important progress had been made during the week. The two-year timeline set in 2022 is considered highly ambitious.

Dozens of high ambition countries sought an agreement that would set targets to limit new production of plastic and phase out certain chemicals and single-use plastic products.

This idea was repeatedly rejected by the so-called ‘like-minded’ nations, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, which insisted the text should contain no reference to production.

The topic of production remains a red line for many countries. The disagreement hindered progress through four rounds of talks preceding Busan, resulting in a lengthy draft treaty that contained contradictory language. Following the negotiations, the draft text has now been considerably streamlined.

Andersen acknowledged that deep differences remain, and significant conversations are needed before any new negotiations can take place.

While no date or location has yet been set for resumed talks, Saudi Arabia and other countries seek to restart no sooner than mid-2025.

Ecodesign: new forum to develop sustainability criteria for products

The European Commission has established the Ecodesign Forum, a new expert group that will play a crucial role in implementing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

This forum, comprising 250 members, will bring together experts appointed by Member States, alongside representatives from industry, civil society and academia.

The primary objective of the Ecodesign Forum is to advise on the development of ecodesign requirements for various products.

It will also contribute to the preparation of the ESPR working plans, which will outline priority products and measures to be addressed over specific periods.

By acting as a consultative body to the European Commission, the forum aims to ensure that the ecodesign process is informed by a wide range of expertise.

The ESPR, which came into effect in July 2024, serves as a cornerstone for promoting sustainable products within the EU.

Its goals include improving product circularity, energy efficiency, recyclability and durability.

The regulation establishes a comprehensive framework for mandatory environmental performance standards applicable to nearly all physical products, with very few exceptions.

The call for applications to join the Ecodesign Forum opened in November 2024, with the first assessment deadline set for 5 December 2024.

While this initial phase will focus on assessing applications received by that date, the call will remain open for other stakeholders who wish to apply in the future.

Eurostat: new EU data on circular economy efforts

Recent Eurostat data shows mixed results in the European Union’s circular economy initiatives.

In 2023, the EU’s circular material use rate reached 11.8%, the highest rate recorded to date. This rate, measuring the contribution of recycled materials to overall material use, increased by 0.3% from the previous year.

Among EU member states, the Netherlands led with a circularity rate of 30.6%, followed by Italy (20.8%) and Malta (19.8%). Finland (2.4%), Ireland (2.3%) and Romania (1.3%) recorded the lowest rates.

The EU aims to double its circular material use rate to 23.2% by 2030.

For plastic packaging waste, the EU recycled 41% of all generated waste in 2022, a slight increase from 38% in 2012. Slovakia recorded the highest recycling rate at 60%, while Malta had the lowest at 16%.

Encouragingly, the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags decreased by 4.7 billion bags in 2022 compared to 2021, with the average EU citizen using 66.6 bags per year, down from 77.4 in 2021.

These statistics, released during the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), highlight the EU’s progress, while underscoring the need for continued efforts to meet ambitious targets.