Climate change and plastics: Connecting the dots in addressing planetary crisis

We are living in a triple planetary crisis; climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Global warming, the extinction of species, and introduction of harmful materials into the environment have become challenges on a global scale and threaten the planet and people alike.

Plastics constitute a significant part of the global pollution threat: as macro-, micro- and nano-plastics, and as toxic and hazardous substances released at all stages of the plastics life cycle. We must understand the linkages between plastics and the triple planetary crisis, to search for solutions and minimise harmful impacts on the environment and people. Fossil fuel extraction (which serves as a basis for plastic production), conversion, transportation, manufacturing, and final disposal all have a carbon footprint that contributes to climate change. In this article we summarise the latest trends and facts to demonstrate how plastic pollution and climate change challenges are intertwined and require actions at all levels.

The production of plastic begins with the extraction of raw materials, followed by processing, manufacturing, and the end-of-life phase, contributes to the production of greenhouse gases (GHG). According to OECD, the estimated GHG emissions of fossil-based plastics in 2019 was 1.8 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Gt CO2eq.) throughout plastics lifecycle, or 3.4% of global gas emissions that year. The data also show that around 90% of the lifecycle emissions of fossil-based plastics occur during the production and conversion of polymers into products. These data clearly indicate the need to address the carbon-intense plastics industry by reducing the present consumption trends, introducing decarbonised plastic production, and looking for sustainable alternative materials. Furthermore, to address the growing GHG emissions from the plastics lifecycle, it requires keeping the existing material in the system by recycling it. 

Plastics are deemed as an essential material to foster the transition to a green economy. As global energy needs move towards green and low carbon sources, the fossil fuel demand for the petrochemical industry (which plastic is a part of), is predicted to nearly double by 2050. Infrastructure, such as wind turbines, solar panels and batteries all require plastics alongside the electrification of automotive sector. Moreover, climate change mitigation may require an increased demand for plastics in the agriculture sector. These projections are very alarming, as they mean that greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production, use and end-of-life phase are expected to increase.

Globally, only around 10% of plastic waste generated between 1950 and 2017 has been recycled, 14% has been incinerated while the remaining 76% has been disposed of in landfills and dumpsites or escaped into the terrestrial and marine environment (Geyer, 2017). The OECD estimates that the end-of-life stage of plastics was responsible for around 193.12 tCO2eq of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted in atmosphere the year 2019. It also accounts for methane which is more than 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide as a GHG, trapping heat in the atmosphere (US EPA).

However, GHG emissions may vary significantly among the different plastic treatment and disposal technologies. Sanitary landfilling of plastics emits the least GHG, less than 0.1 tCO2eq per tonne of plastics, while recycling has a moderate emissions profile emitting around 0.9 tCO2eq per tonne of plastics (OECD, 2022). On the other hand, incineration leads to high emissions (2.3 tCO2eq per tonne of plastics) and is considered the primary driver of emissions from plastics waste management.

Open burning is also considered an important source of GHGs emissions and is a common practice in many parts of the world where there is a lack of established waste management systems. Open burning of plastics emits black carbon that is a serious pollutant, and it has a global warming potential of up to 5,000 times greater than carbon dioxide (Reyna-Bensusan et al. 2019). A recent study from Africa estimates that open burning of waste produces 11% of global black carbon emissions.

Plastic pollution might threaten the global carbon cycle (Shen et.al., 2020). The widespread presence of microplastics in the ocean might have a negative impact on phytoplankton, which is a crucial element in CO2 exchange in the marine ecosystem.

Plastic pollution, like climate change, affects the globe disproportionately and is especially apparent in the Arctic and the Pacific regions. The Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) contribute very little to the production and consumption of plastics, but they are very vulnerable in the face of plastic pollution. SIDS countries are affected by ocean currents, which bring floating marine plastic litter to their coastlines, originating from both distant countries overseas and the SIDS themselves. The Arctic region is showing similar patterns. Plastic pollution is now pervasive in the Arctic, even in areas with no apparent human activity, such as the deep seafloor. These observations are concerning for environmental ethics and drive the urgency to take action that should contribute to achieve an equitable distribution of the responsibility to mitigate climate change and plastic pollution.

The climate change and plastics nexus is rapidly entering a new interdependent phase, in which plastics are a significant contribution to climate change but where the transition to a green economy and climate mitigation is dependent on its use.

The possible decarbonisation pathways, breaking away from unsustainable plastic consumption based on the petroleum industry, must be mapped out and elevated in public discourse, to include alternatives, increased awareness and changes to the global plastic market structure. Safe recycling needs to increase.

Governance and regulatory tools will play a crucial role in achieving zero plastic pollution. Therefore, the new global legally binding instrument for plastic pollution can reinforce the real possibilities to tackle the triple planetary crisis.

For more information on the new Plastic Pollution Treaty and process, visit:

INC website

Climate Change and Plastics

Science and Policy interface.