India and France join hands to combat single use plastic pollution

The two nations also declared that through multilateral and third-country initiatives, they would provide sustainable development solutions for the nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

India and France have intensified their cooperation in the fight against climate change and for environmental protection, and they’ve said they’ll engage other like-minded nations in constructive dialogue to advance the talks for a global law to prevent plastic pollution. Following their meeting on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to work together to end the pollution caused by single-use plastic items. This commitment includes a ban on single-use plastic products with a high potential for littering.

India and France noted that plastic product pollution brought on by discarded and improperly handled plastic trash is a serious environmental problem that has to be addressed immediately. It has an adverse effect on ecosystems in general and marine ecosystems in particular.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) describes single-use plastic items as “an umbrella term for different types of products that are typically used once before being thrown away or recycled” and includes food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups, cutlery, and shopping bags.

According to the two nations, low-utility single-use plastic products should gradually be phased out in favour of reusable items based on a circular economy strategy.

Dealing with this issue can open up new chances for innovation, competitiveness, and job growth, they claimed. Solutions are available and have been clearly identified.

Bans on specific single-use plastic products where alternatives are easily accessible and reasonably priced are among the remedies suggested by India and France.

(This article is edited by Aditya Krishnan)