Significant shifts in international policy are underway, aimed at curbing global plastic and waste pollution while mitigating extreme warming.
Ahead of the COP31 conference—set to begin on 9 November 2026 in Turkey—the host nation and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) jointly released the ‘COP31 Action Agenda’ and 10 priority areas on 5 November 2026.
A main goal of this plan is to cut hazardous waste worldwide by 50% by 2035 and to require the use of eco-friendly ‘Zero-Waste’ policies.
Key Strategies and Global Commitments: New global targets currently under consideration—focused on trade and the transition to clean energy—include:
Waste Reduction and Methane Control: The “Zero-Waste Foundation” and UN programs are setting global rules for better waste management. This aims to reduce plastic waste and methane gas. This emphasizes the increased responsibility of developed nations in managing plastic products and waste.
Global Electrification and Carbon Emissions: A new framework for technology transfer between developed and developing nations has been introduced, with the goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in global electrification to 35% by 2035.
Conclusion and ‘Green Page’ Perspective: Achieving climate goals is impossible without addressing not only the phase-out of fossil fuels but also the elimination of plastic pollution and the mismanagement of waste.
Green Page thinks that if the ‘zero waste’ plan from COP31 is put into action well, it will help protect the ocean ecosystems of coastal countries like Bangladesh, which are facing problems from plastic pollution.
