प्लास्टिक-उत्पादन उत्सर्जन पृथ्वी के कार्बन बजट का तीन गुना होकर पाँचवें हिस्से तक पहुँच सकता है

Plastic-production emissions could triple to one-fifth of Earth’s carbon budget – report

The Global emissions from plastic production, potentially reach one-fifth of Earth's remaining carbon budget by mid-century. This revelation underscores the detrimental impact of the plastic industry on climate change mitigation efforts, according to Heather McTeer Toney, Executive Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies' Beyond Petrochemicals campaign, which supported the report.

Plastic production, heavily reliant on fossil fuels, is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The process involves extraction, refining, and chemical processing, all of which contribute to pollution. The report highlights ethylene production as particularly emission-intensive, along with polymerization and shaping processes.

Examining nine common types of plastics used in various products, the report reveals that plastic production emitted 2.24 gigatonnes of greenhouse gases in 2019, equivalent to the output of 600 coal-fired power plants. This accounted for 5% of global carbon emissions, with projections suggesting a doubling or tripling of production by 2050.

Even with efforts to decarbonize the power grid, plastic production is poised to remain a significant emitter due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels in raw material extraction. If production increases by 4% annually, emissions could soar to 6.78 gigatonnes by 2050.

Addressing this trajectory is critical to aligning with climate targets. Preventing exponential growth could mitigate emissions, yet steady production levels still pose a substantial challenge. By 2050, plastic production could consume 15 to 19% of the remaining carbon budget to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, even with a fully decarbonized grid.

The report's release precedes the 4th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting for a global plastics treaty, prompting calls for action. Neil Tangri, Science and Policy Director at the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives underscores the urgent need for measures to curtail plastic production, emphasizing the potential for a treaty to drive significant reductions.

In addition to climate benefits, limiting plastic production could yield positive impacts on public health. Tangri's organization highlights the potential to maintain climate goals by reducing plastic production by at least 12% annually. These findings underscore the urgent need for decisive action to mitigate the climate impact of plastic production and safeguard the planet's future.

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