At present, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) is held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ant Forest** will launch the "Plastic Reduction for Nature" initiative to promote plastic pollution control and protect the natural environment polluted by plastics, such as the ocean. The first batch of more than 30 Chinese and foreign companies joined the initiative, including well-known brands such as InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Mengniu, RT-Mart, Starbucks and Unilever.
On 1 December, the initiative was officially unveiled at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at COP28, and the IUCN will serve as a technical partner to provide tools and standards to measure effectiveness and promote best practices in tackling plastic pollution.
Ant Forest** will launch the "Reducing Plastic for Nature" initiative. Photo courtesy of the interviewee.
It is understood that the "Plastic Reduction for Nature" initiative aims to promote positive plastic reduction goals, establish a green consumption ecology, innovate incentive mechanisms, and strengthen international exchanges to encourage more public participation in plastic pollution control actions. The initiative also places special emphasis on raising public awareness of plastic reduction through digital technologies and internet platforms, and creating examples that can be used as a reference.
In 2023, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will set the theme of World Environment Day as "Beat Plastic Pollution" to call on more people to participate in the action of plastic pollution. According to relevant research reports, there may be more than 2.3 million tons of microplastics floating in the surface waters of the global ocean, in addition to a large amount of macroplastic waste in the ocean. According to a study by the World Nature, rivers send 800,000-2.7 million tons of plastic waste into the ocean every year, and there is at least one garbage patch in every ocean, of which the largest North Pacific garbage zone is 1.6 million square kilometers, equivalent to the area of the entire Mongolia. This means that if no action is taken, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050.
We need to work together to solve one of the most pressing issues of our time and drive positive change for the benefit of nature and people, and the IUCN welcomes this initiative", said Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director-General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, adding that the Plastic Reduction for Nature initiative is an important step forward in the effort to tackle marine plastic pollution.
Founded in 1948, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world's largest and oldest global non-profit environmental protection organization, as well as an international organization in the field of natural environmental protection and sustainable development, as a permanent observer of the United Nations General Assembly.
We have always adhered to the principles of openness and cooperation, and are committed to promoting green development", said Peng Yijie, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant Group, Ant Group, Ant Group, Ant Group will leverage the capabilities of digital technology and platform companies to connect consumers with many partners, combined with the standards and tools provided by IUCN, to jointly promote positive changes in plastic pollution control.
Edited by Bai Huabing and proofread by Zhao Lin.