Plastic pollution is a global crisis which disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable communities, constituting an environmental injustice. According to the OECD, the annual production of plastics has soared from 234 million tonnes to 420 million tonnes between 2000 to 2019. An estimated 25% of which leak into the environment, mainly through disposal in uncontrolled dumpsites. Asia is a major producer and consumer of plastics and plastic pollution in Asia threatens not only the right to a healthy environment, but the right to life, health and livelihood, particularly for communities who live near the areas with waste management infrastructures (UNEP).
This session will focus on in-depth discussion on mobilizing private resources to support communities and informal waste collectors to combat plastic pollution and increase inclusive access to finance to advance human rights and gender equality.
This session aims to:
- Increase understanding of how inclusive access to financial resources can contribute to tackling plastic pollution and advancing human rights and gender equality
- Identify existing finance mechanisms, including gaps in broader financial mechanisms, that aim to address full life cycle of plastics through circularity and human rights-based approaches
- Facilitate innovative cross-sectoral learnings for increased inclusive access to financial resources to beat plastic pollution
Moderator: Jessica Cheam, Founder and Managing Director, Eco-Business
Speakers:
- Parimita Mohanty, Programme Management Officer, United Nations Environment Programme
- Le Ngoc Tuan, Director General, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam
- Dominic Thomson, Deputy Director and Project Manager, Environmental Justice Foundation
- Christina Jäger, Co-founder and Managing Director, Yunus Environment Hub
- Angelita Aguilos, Project Manager, Eco Waste Coalition
Session recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdWuIMD8KNU