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Tonga today launched its National Single-Use Plastics Roadmap, which aims to phase out single-use plastics (SUP) in the country. The strategic roadmap will provide a clear path for targeted actions to achieve a cleaner environment and improve waste recycling strategies.
The roadmap was launched at a side event at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting hosted by Tonga this week and organized by the Secretariat of the Pacific Environment Programme (SPREP) through the Pacific Litter Project (POLP) funded by the Australian Government.
“Tonga is committed to promoting sustainable development by combining economic development with environmental protection and social well-being. The roadmap aims to eliminate problematic and unnecessary plastics and ensure that plastics that have reached the end of their life cycle can be reused, recycled or sustainably and safely disposed of with minimal impact on the environment,” said Sione Tukia Lepa, Acting Director of the Environment Department of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, at the launch.
“This shift not only benefits the environment, but it also encourages innovation in materials and processes in Tonga, thereby improving the country’s economic position and delivering significant social, cultural, environmental and public health benefits for its people,” Lepa added.
The roadmap aims to reduce and eliminate harmful single-use plastics such as plastic bottles, plastic bags, polystyrene containers, takeaway containers, wrappers and straws. These types of litter make up the bulk of the litter in coastal areas around Tongatapu and the outer islands of Eau, Haapai, Vava’u and Niua. While some roadmaps emphasize technical and fiscal measures, the Plastics Roadmap recognizes that influencing the behavior of plastic producers and users is critical to achieving lasting positive change and promoting Tonga’s embrace of a plastic-free future.
The roadmap provides a platform for effective collaboration among all stakeholders, supports the partnership in monitoring progress in addressing the visible problem of plastic pollution, identifies areas that require immediate attention, and catalyzes Tonga’s transition to a plastic-free future.
Speaking on behalf of the South Pacific Environment Programme at the launch, Pacific Climate Change Centre Manager Ofa Kesami said: “It is important that we continue to advocate and mobilize support and activities from all key development partners and institutions working in the field of plastic pollution, working together to clarify what the regional and national priorities are, where the gaps in national implementation are, identify implementation and support partners, develop activities that avoid duplication, and support members who have many competing priorities.”
“There is more work to be done to support all Pacific Island countries and territories. For example, in Tonga’s roadmap, six key targets have been identified and support is needed to advance these,” added Kesami.
Work on the Tonga Plastics Roadmap is supported by the POLP project and the New Zealand High Commission in Tonga. POLP, implemented by SPREP, is working with 14 Pacific Islands to phase out specific types of single-use plastics from land-based sources, including household waste and tourist waste.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed at the opening of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting that urgent global action is needed to address the plastic crisis, especially for the Pacific Small Island Developing States that are particularly hard hit by the crisis.
“This region is home to fearless seafarers, skilled fishermen, and a deep ancestral knowledge of the ocean. But humans have treated the ocean like a sewer. Plastic pollution is killing marine life”
“But this region is a beacon of solidarity and strength, environmental protection and peace. The world has much to learn from the Pacific, and the world must also step up its support for your initiatives,” Guterres said.
Source: PACNEWS
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