Baku, Azerbaijan – As the global climate community gathers in the UAE for COP29, one initiative making headlines is the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme’s (SACEP) Plastic-free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) project.
And at the ongoing COP29 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, plastic pollution has become one of the major topics, with negotiations currently underway.
During a side event on November 18, Director General of the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), Norbu Wangchuk, highlighted the severity of plastic pollution across South Asia, affecting both landlocked and coastal nations. “SAARC countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Afghanistan struggle with macro- and microplastic pollution in their rivers, while Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka face severe marine plastic waste,” he said.
According to Norbu Wangchuk, South Asia generates 334 million metric tons of solid waste, with plastic accounting for eight percent of the total. A study by Jambeck ranks four South Asian nations—Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan—among the top 20 contributors to mismanaged plastic waste globally. Major transboundary rivers, such as the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and the Indus River, further worsen the crisis by transporting substantial amounts of plastic waste into oceans.
The SACEP Director General highlighted the need for collective action. “Only through collaboration among nations, communities, and stakeholders can we hope to address plastic waste. Regional unity and shared commitment are essential to a sustainable future,” said Norbu Wangchuk, a former education minister now leading SACEP in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The PLEASE Project
Despite challenges, SACEP’s PLEASE project, aimed at addressing plastic waste, is making progress. Since its inception, the PLEASE project has achieved significant milestones in community engagement, policy integration, and on-the-ground action.
Over 30 percent of initiatives involve women-led enterprises and marginalized groups, creating social and economic benefits alongside environmental impacts. The project has supported member countries in enforcing single-use plastic bans and implementing recycling incentives. On the ground, activities include riverbank clean-ups, promoting biodegradable alternatives, and urban waste management systems.
“Though successful, the project faces hurdles, including limited financial resources, technical expertise, and the need for improved regional coordination,” said Norbu Wangchuk. “COP29 offers a platform to attract investment and share global best practices,” he added.
Funded by the World Bank, the PLEASE project addresses the plastic pollution crisis across the region, focusing on both its sources and impacts. Looking ahead, SACEP plans to expand the PLEASE project to tackle transboundary pollution and foster partnerships with private companies for sustainable packaging solutions.
SACEP’s comprehensive approach serves as a global model for addressing environmental issues. “As COP29 progresses, the PLEASE project exemplifies how regional cooperation can combat a global crisis, promoting environmental sustainability and social equity,” said Norbu Wangchuk.
Recently, Bhutan hosted a roundtable on the plastic waste crisis under the PLEASE Project in Thimphu. Stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society organizations, and international agencies discussed Bhutan’s heavy reliance on imported plastics, which constitute 80 percent of its plastic consumption.
Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution
To develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in marine environments, the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will be held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan, Republic of Korea, from November 25 to December 1, 2024. The session will be preceded by regional consultations on November 24.
Contributed by Rinzin Wangchuk
