According to the Ministry of Climate Change and Coordination (MoCCC),the plastic trash generated in 2022 was roughly three million tonnes, and it might climb to 12 million tonnes by 2040 if urgent actions are not implemented.
Officials from the MoCCC informed the Standing Committee on Climate Change that Pakistan has become part of the Global Plastic Action Partnership to reduce plastic waste?and that the government is working on various recycling schemes. The Committee Chairman believes that rather than prohibiting plastic, efforts should be directed toward finding a replacement.
Furthermore, officials stated that the ministry was working with foreign partners to identify environmentally appropriate recycling alternatives. The gathering also addressed the issue of automobile tailpipe emissions and their impact on climate change.
Senator Asad Ali Junejo proposed that measures be put in place to require car owners to have their automobiles tested for emissions on a three-yearly basis in order to combat air pollution.
It should be noted that the federal cabinet established the country’s first-ever toxic waste management strategy last year in order to limit dangers to the ecosystem and human life.
Sources revealed that the climate change ministry’s National Hazardous Waste Management Policy will aid in the regulation of harmful items such as oil, plastics, batteries,?hospital waste, and technological trash. The strategy will also aid in the classification of toxic items and the development of disposal systems.
In addition, the departmental framework will be developed, as well as the provincial and federal environmental protection agencies (EPAs). Moreover, a regulatory structure will be established to ensure policy execution.
Further details revealed that the centre would collaborate with provinces to create a national framework and a national plan to control hazardous waste import licencing.?MoCCC officials?stated that the adoption of the strategy will help the country’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus compliance.