Jan 9: Waste

"Throw all waste away

Inside the once flawless Earth

Green be lost from sight"

#dghaiku #sustainability #esg #esgstewardship #environment

THE CASE FOR INVESTOR ENGAGEMENT ON WASTE MANAGEMENT:

🌦️ Climate-related risks

Projections suggest that emissions from plastic could account for 10% – 13% of the Earth’s remaining carbon budget by 2050 if plastic production and use grow as currently planned.

🌍 Wider environmental risks

Mismanaged plastic waste contributes to waterway and ocean pollution, which clogs urban infrastructure and degrades natural systems, such as the ocean. The cost of such externalities to society, when considered alongside the greenhouse gas emissions of plastic packaging production, are conservatively estimated to amount to US$40 billion annually.

⚖️ Policy and regulatory risks

Many developed and developing countries are regulating – or in some cases banning – certain plastics. Companies that rely on plastics could also face higher taxation, extended producer responsibility fees and increased raw material costs.

🧬 Health risks

Microplastics, which have been detected in bottled water and the tissue of fish and other marine life, may have negative health impacts when ingested by humans. These are not yet fully understood but if they are determined in the future, may lead to heightened societal concern and health-related restrictions on plastic use.

🌟 Reputational risks

Companies that are heavily reliant on plastics face growing scrutiny and potentially significant reputational damage, as consumers become increasingly aware of the impacts of plastic pollution. Packaging has been the target of several campaigns against plastic.

PLASTIC AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Taking action to address plastic pollution and support the building of a circular economy will make a major contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption

SDG Target 12.5: Substantially reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse by 2030.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

SDG 14.1: Preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution, by 2025.

Source and Reference: UN PRI

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