As a first step towards combating plastic pollution, several governments are quantifying it.

• As a first step towards combating plastic pollution, several governments are quantifying it.
• From February 28 to March 2, 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) will have more official negotiations for a global convention on plastic pollution.
• A convention would force countries to report on progress on plastic pollution using a standardised assessment system.
• With several new plastic waste flow studies launching in 2022, countries are increasingly seeing the benefits of investing in openness and evidence.
• A treaty provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to harmonise the existing metrics expertise and resources.

The formal talks for a global treaty have begun.

Countries and businesses are increasingly advocating for the development of a worldwide treaty against plastic pollution, citing the rising acknowledgement of the plastic pollution catastrophe and the necessity for a coordinated response to this challenge. Member states will debate a formal proposal at this year's United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) on whether to begin negotiations on a global plastic pollution convention and what such a treaty should entail.

More than 2.1 million people have joined 156 countries (3/4 of all UN Member states) in publicly calling for a treaty. Over 100 top global corporations have also signed on to a corporate call pushing UN member states to begin treaty discussions at UNEA. Previously hostile groups, such as the American Chemistry Council (ACC), have suddenly come out in favour of the deal.

In the midst of UNEA, the focus is rapidly shifting to the types of provisions that must be included in an effective treaty. Aside from a growing consensus that regulatory measures should cover the entire life cycle of plastics, not just waste management issues, there is also a clear recognition that all states will need to align to create a shared evidence base: how do we define different types of plastic, how do we measure and report on plastic waste and leakage into the environment, and how do we ensure a scientific basis for progress?

Providing input into the creation of a worldwide reporting system

Plastic trash generation, import and export of plastic scrap, collection and sorting, plastic recycling, disposal, and mismanaged garbage are all topics that countries may be required to report on. The treaty-making process is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to scale up and accelerate existing national efforts to increase transparency and evidence through excellent measuring methods. These pioneering efforts by a few countries will serve as a valuable source of information for most of the treaty's substance, which will be negotiated in the months ahead.

With the backing of the Global Plastic Action Partnership, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Ghana have recently begun quantifying plastic trash flows — a complex process including government, industry, civil society, and academia (GPAP). The three countries were able to evaluate their plastic pollution problem and what tangible efforts are needed to transition to a circular plastics economy thanks to an open-source national analytics tool developed in collaboration with SYSTEMIQ.

This year, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India will take a similar approach, utilising the techniques and resources acquired to undertake a formal plastic pollution analysis. This will also entail installing modelling capabilities that will allow these countries to make future projections, test different strategy scenarios, and assess their environmental, economic, and social consequences.

Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Mexico, and Thailand are among the countries that have increased their efforts to measure plastic pollution, aided by UNEP and IUCN hotspot assessments.

Countries such as Canada, Germany, and France are all tracking plastic trash flows and taking a more proactive approach to exchanging information and advocating for regional and global harmonisation.

A once-in-a-lifetime chance to standardise the measurement technique

UNEP-National IUCN's Guidance for Plastic Pollution Hotspotting and Shaping Action, as well as its worldwide data portal PLASTEAX, are actively helping in-country plastic waste and pollution data collecting and evaluation. Through its National Assessment and Modelling (NAM) tool, the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) collaborated with SYSTEMIQ. The World Bank, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste's PRISM data platform, and the Circularity Assessment Protocol of the University of Georgia (CAP). Waste Wise Cities is a UN Habitat effort, and ReSource is a WWF initiative.

Organizations and countries (and occasionally provinces or cities) use distinct measurement methodologies, which are frequently based on national or regional goals or priorities. While some countries just track packaging trash or single-use plastics, others may include industrial plastics and microplastics as well. Another area where a coordinated approach is still lacking is the definition of distinct types of plastics.

A worldwide convention on plastic pollution might help countries address these issues by providing a single, consistent monitoring and reporting system based on the world's current best-in-class methodology. In order to build a single consistent framework that is practically applicable to all countries, it will be critical to learn from other countries and their current techniques. Reliable plastic data could be the missing ingredient in ensuring a treaty's transparent and responsible implementation.

Is your country not on this list because it measures plastic waste and pollution? Or are you looking for resources, tools, or partners to help you do this job in your own country?