联合国环境署-塑料污染对弱势群体造成“环境不公”（英文）-2021.5-64页_4mb

Summary: Environmental Justice Impacts of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution

Core Content

This report, published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in April 2021, focuses on the environmental justice impacts of marine litter and plastic pollution, particularly how these issues disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including women, children, indigenous peoples, and low-income communities. It also explores the economic and social consequences of the global pandemic on plastic production, consumption, and waste management, as well as the legal and policy frameworks aimed at addressing these challenges.

Main Points

Environmental Justice and Vulnerable Populations

• Plastic pollution and marine litter disproportionately affect persons, groups, and peoples in vulnerable situations, such as the poor, marginalized, women, children, and indigenous communities.
• These communities are often the frontline defenders of environmental rights and face greater health and livelihood risks due to exposure to plastic waste.
• The pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities, with vulnerable groups bearing the brunt of the health and environmental consequences.

Pandemic and Plastic Use

• The pandemic significantly increased the demand and use of single-use plastics, particularly in healthcare and food delivery sectors.
• Disposable products like masks, gloves, and takeout containers became common, leading to a surge in plastic waste.
• Low oil prices during the pandemic made virgin plastics cheaper than recycled ones, undermining recycling efforts.
• Waste pickers faced severe challenges, including loss of income and increased risk of infection due to restricted movement and lack of support.

Plastic Production and Its Impacts

• Plastics are synthetic materials with a wide range of applications, but their production and disposal have severe environmental and health consequences.
• 99% of plastics are derived from petrochemicals, linking plastic production to fossil fuel extraction and refining.
• The plastic industry is often located near fossil fuel facilities, impacting surrounding communities.
• Plastic waste contributes to GHG emissions, land degradation, and contamination of water and soil.

Impacts on Health and Communities

• Women are disproportionately affected by plastic-related health risks due to higher exposure in households and through feminine care products.
• Single-use plastics are not only a source of pollution but also symptoms of water scarcity.
• Microplastics have been found in the food chain, posing long-term health risks.
• Fenceline communities (those living near industrial sites) are at high risk of pollution and health impacts.

Legal and Policy Context

• International agreements such as the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions address waste management and hazardous substances.
• Non-binding international efforts have also been made to address plastic pollution.
• The 2018 China ban on plastic waste imports had significant global implications, shifting waste management responsibilities to other countries.
• Trade policies play a key role in plastic waste flows and environmental justice.

Key Recommendations

• Business and Industry should adopt sustainable practices and reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
• Countries must enforce effective waste management systems and ensure equitable access to environmental protections.
• Non-Governmental Actors should support community-based solutions and environmental justice advocacy.
• Consumers need to be educated on the impacts of plastic consumption and encouraged to adopt sustainable habits.

Limitations and Future Research

• The report acknowledges the limitations of current studies, especially in the context of the pandemic.
• It calls for more comprehensive research on the long-term environmental and social impacts of plastic pollution.
• Policy frameworks should be developed to ensure fair and just responses to the plastic crisis, particularly in developing countries.

Conclusion

The pandemic has accelerated plastic waste generation, and the global economic recovery will shape the future of plastic use. The report emphasizes the need for a rights-based approach to address plastic pollution, ensuring that vulnerable communities are not left behind. It also highlights the importance of international cooperation, solidarity, and respect for human dignity in developing sustainable solutions to the plastic crisis.

Key Statistics

• 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves could be consumed monthly globally if the same rate as in Italy during 2020.
• Plastic waste in the Global North has been sent to less industrialized regions, raising concerns about environmental injustice.
• Only 10% of pandemic-related plastics are expected to be recycled, while 70% will end up in landfills or the environment.
• Plastic waste is projected to triple by 2040, reaching 29 million metric tons per year.

References

• The report is based on peer-reviewed studies, policy documents, and expert insights.
• It references recent publications and legal frameworks to support its analysis.
• The sourcing of materials was guided by environmental justice advocates and legal experts.