New Delhi, 04 April 2024 – Eight out of 10 Indians support cutting plastic production in order to save the country’s biodiversity and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, revealed a new Greenpeace International report.
The survey comes ahead of the fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC4) meeting for a Global Plastics Treaty to be held in Ottawa, Canada this month, indicating that more than 90% of Indians are concerned about the adverse health effects of plastics on their children’s health.
The survey which was conducted across 19 countries indicates overwhelming public backing for measures aimed at ending single-use plastics and promoting reuse-based solutions.
Key findings include:
- 87% of Indian respondents support cutting the production of plastic to stop plastic pollution.
- 89% of Indian respondents believe that the Global Plastics Treaty should include targets that oblige governments and corporations to transition away from single-use plastic packaging to reusable and refillable packaging
- 80% of global respondents advocate for protecting biodiversity and the climate by reducing plastics production.
- 90% of global respondents endorse transitioning away from single-use plastic packaging to reusable and refillable alternatives.
- 75% of global respondents support a ban on single-use plastic packaging.
“The survey findings are pivotal in the fight against plastic pollution and climate change. The overwhelming support from 87% of Indians and echoed globally reaffirms our shared commitment to safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” said Abhishek Kumar Chanchal, Project lead, Plastic Free Future, Greenpeace India.
The survey reveals unwavering support for ambitious action on plastics worldwide, especially in regions of the Global South where plastic pollution levels are notably high. A significant majority of people endorse these measures across all demographics, with 79% of Indian respondents advocating for the exclusion of lobbyists from the fossil fuel and chemical industries from treaty negotiations.
“With over 90% of Indians expressing grave concerns about the health impacts of plastics on our children, it is clear that urgent action is not only desired but imperative. The findings of this survey underscore the overwhelming public demand for transformative measures, including transitioning away from single-use plastics towards reusable and refillable solutions,” said Abhishek.
In several countries there is a significant disconnect between the level of public support for cutting plastic production and the position of their governments on the treaty. Despite having widespread public support for reducing plastic production in India, the Indian government opposes limitations on plastic production.
Greenpeace is demanding that the Global Plastics Treaty cuts total plastic production by at least 75% by 2040 to protect biodiversity and ensure that global temperatures stay below 1.5° C. Over 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels, and with production set to skyrocket, it is a significant driver of climate change.
As we approach the INC4 meeting for a Global Plastics Treaty, Greenpeace urge governments and corporations to heed the call of the people by incorporating ambitious targets that promote sustainable alternatives and prioritize the protection of our environment and climate.
Government ministers from 173 countries are set to gather at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Canada from April 23 to 29, 2024, for the INC4 conference to negotiate a legally binding Treaty. The last negotiation meeting will happen in Busan, South Korea in November 2024.
The research was conducted by Censuswide, from a sample of 19,088 members of the public in the UK, USA, Canada, India, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, China, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Austria, and Norway. The data was collected between 16th – 26th February 2024.