Written by M. Daffa Fahreza, Giselle Misca M. S., & Khairu Mirsya Aqilah
Look around you and you will surely see plastic objects within a meter of your surroundings. It seems that nothing in this world escapes plastic. Plastic is a material that plays a significant role in our daily lives, from household furniture and electronic devices to food packaging. There is no denying that plastic makes daily life much easier. However, unfortunately, behind all the benefits offered by plastic, it also poses risks that are no less significant. Most people who throw away plastic waste do not think about where the waste they throw away will end up. In fact, a lot of the waste we produce ends up in the ocean, which of course threatens the marine ecosystem. “How can plastic waste end up in the ocean when humans live and dispose of their waste on land?” This may be the question that comes to mind, but it turns out that there are many things that can transport plastic waste from land to sea, such as rivers. Rivers are one of the largest routes for waste to reach the ocean. Surprisingly, according to the World Economic Forum, 90% of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean comes from just 10 rivers. Wind can also act as a “pathway” contributing waste to the ocean, lightweight plastic waste can be carried by the wind and end up in rivers that transport plastic waste to the ocean or directly land in the ocean. Additionally, activities taking place near the ocean also contribute to waste ending up in the ocean, such as tourism activities on the beach.
Due to the large amount of plastic waste ending up in the ocean, the current condition of the ocean has become very severe and even alarming. The impact of this plastic waste ranges from habitat destruction (such as coral reefs and mangroves) to disruption of important fishery species, which indirectly affects the productivity and health of communities that depend on marine resources. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one of the shocking examples of the alarming state of the oceans today. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of plastic waste that floats and forms a huge “island” in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The waste collected here comes from various countries on the coasts of Asia, North America, and other countries connected to the main currents of the Pacific Ocean. According to The Ocean Cleanup, this trash “island” covers an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers, an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France, and there were more than 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic in the patch that weigh an estimated 100,000 tonnes. These figures are much higher than previous calculations.
With the significant amount of plastic waste in the ocean, it has become urgent for states to address this matter to prevent an unwanted catastrophe that could compromise national sovereignty sooner or later. One state’s pollution can create a significant amount of pollution that affects the economies and health of its people and people globally, which could lead to conflict between states. Awakened by the circumstances of environmental crises and the need to pursue sustainability, a new approach to diplomacy emerged, known as “Green Diplomacy.” It refers to preventive diplomacy that attempts to promote resilience and balance the state’s interest with the interests of every individual on the planet concerning the development and conservation of natural living conditions (Broadhead, 2002). Back in 1972, Apollo 17 took the first colour photo of the Earth and raised awareness among people in the world to take action, along with care and responsibility for our planet. Environmental crises had always been a neglected matter and the UN Conference in Stockholm 1972 marked a turning point in the focus agenda of states themselves.
The landmark of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the Stockholm Declaration was established to monitor the state of the environment, inform policy-making with science, and coordinate responses to the world’s environmental challenges. Provided the first agreed global set of principles for future work in the field of the human environment and developed the international environmental law. There may have been some weakness in the Stockholm Declaration and the Action Plan, which focused more on the symptoms rather than the causes of the environmental issues alone (Engfeldt, 2009, pp. 67-68). Environmental issues transcend borders (land, sea, or even the air); therefore, the emergence of global development cooperation is crucial. In addition to serving as preventive diplomacy, Green Diplomacy fosters open international discussions to negotiate trade rules and national commitments among nations, with the assistance of global governance.
Plastic waste is one of the most pressing pollution crises we face globally, and the Global Plastics Treaty is a crucial step in addressing this urgent issue. It’s been decades since national commitments have hindered nations from creating policies that protect both the environment and the economy from plastic waste. The Global Plastics Treaty is a response to the urgency created by the international community. In March 2022, at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), a historic resolution was adopted to develop a globally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (Global Plastics Treaty, n.d). However, after three years of extensive discussions, proposals, and revisions, the Global Plastics Treaty was adjourned in August 2025, with an estimated timeline to establish itself as a robust and effective framework for tackling plastic pollution globally. The difficulties in reaching a global plastics treaty are reflected in the disagreements over funding, national obligations, sustainable production and consumption, and the timescale. Nevertheless, the Treaty has not been finalized yet; there is still a chance in the future for a treaty to be decided and finalized, which could eventually become a binding law for states globally.
This delay is not a sign of failure, but rather a strategic pause in the long journey toward a stronger global commitment. Every pause in environmental diplomacy invites reflection ; are we, as a global community, truly ready to reconcile economic ambition with ecological responsibility? This question underscores that the fight against plastic pollution does not end at the negotiating table, it continues through collective awareness and the drive to rebuild the very architecture of global environmental governance.
To understand the urgency behind this pause, it is important to look at the numbers. According to the UNEP Global Plastics Outlook 2024, global plastic production is projected to nearly triple by 2060 if current consumption patterns persist. Only 9% of plastics are successfully recycled, 19% are incinerated, and the rest end up in landfills or the ocean. These figures highlight the urgent need for an agreement that moves beyond voluntary pledges toward one that is legally binding and measurable. One potential direction for the treaty’s continuation is the establishment of a Global Plastic Accountability Mechanism, an international cooperative platform integrating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, standardized labeling, and cross-border waste tracking. The OECD (2024) reported that countries implementing strong EPR policies achieved up to 40% higher recycling efficiency compared to those relying solely on consumer-driven initiatives. This demonstrates that the private sector should no longer stand at the periphery of policymaking but act as a key partner in driving innovation and financing through circular economy models.
The sustainability of the Global Plastics Treaty must also emphasize equitable capacity building, ensuring that developing nations particularly those in Southeast Asia are not left behind in the global sustainability transition. The World Bank (2023) reported that Indonesia remains among the top five contributors to marine plastic pollution, largely due to gaps in waste management infrastructure and limited access to environmentally friendly technologies. Bridging this disparity requires not only financial assistance but also technology transfer, transparent monitoring, and inclusive participation. A renewed treaty could institutionalize a Plastic Transition Fund, channeling investments into scalable community-based solutions such as local recycling systems, biodegradable material innovation, and green logistics.
Furthermore, the next phase of diplomacy must become more data-driven and preventive. It calls for the establishment of an independent scientific body, similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tasked with delivering evidence-based assessments and policy recommendations. In this context, science is not merely a tool for political validation but the foundation of global trust and accountability. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, emphasized that “ending plastic pollution is not about banning plastic altogether, but about reimagining our entire system of production and consumption.” Realizing this reimagination requires credible data, transparent evaluation, and a recognition that the root of the problem lies not only in waste itself, but in the structural design of the global economy.
At its core, the challenge of plastic pollution is not only about managing waste, but about redefining how the world cooperates to protect the planet we share. The Global Plastics Treaty stands as one of the most ambitious diplomatic efforts to transform global concern into collective action. Its adjournment should not be seen as an end, but as a pause that reflects the complexity of aligning environmental priorities with economic realities and political will. This moment of uncertainty, in fact, opens space for renewal, a chance to refine global commitments and make diplomacy work for sustainability.
Green Diplomacy itself reminds us that protecting the environment is inseparable from protecting humanity. The continuation of the treaty can turn this vision into practice through fair capacity building, scientific cooperation, and transparent global governance. By ensuring that all nations, developed or developing, move forward together, the next phase of this agreement could serve as a cornerstone for a more balanced and inclusive environmental order. Now, the world stands at a crucial turning point. The ocean has long carried the weight of our neglect; perhaps it is time it carries our shared determination to repair it. What we need is not another round of political promises, but a durable global pact that transforms words into measurable progress. In this sense, diving into hope from waste is more than a metaphor. It is a diplomatic mission, a moral responsibility, and a reminder that even from what humanity discards, renewal is always possible.
References
Broadhead, L. A. (2002). International environmental politics: The limits of green diplomacy. Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Engfeldt, L. (2009). From Stockholm to Johannesburg and beyond. Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Global Plastic Action Partnership – Global Plastics Treaty. (n.d.). https://www.globalplasticaction.org/globalplasticstreaty
Around 90% of all river-borne plastic that ends up in the ocean comes from just 10 rivers (no date) World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2018/06/90-of-plastic-polluting-our-oceans-comes-from-just-10-rivers/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study%2C%2088%2D95%25%20of%20all,carrier%20of%20plastic%20pollution%20to%20the%20ocean.
Environesia (no date) Bagaimana sampah Plastik Berakhir di Lautan?, Environesia. https://environesia.co.id/blog/Bagaimana-Sampah-Plastik-Berakhir-di-Lautan
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (2025) The Ocean Cleanup. https://theoceancleanup.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch/#how-much-plastic-floats-in-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2024). How Data is Helping Cities Counter Plastic Pollution How data is helping cities counter plastic pollution
Plastic Smart Cities. (2024). Extended Producer Responsibility: Basic Facts and Key Principles.
World Economic Forum (WEF). (2023). How Sustainable Packaging Can Reduce Plastic Waste. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/12/sustainable-packaging-reduce-plastic-waste
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