DAVOS: The World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) has expanded its global network to 25 countries by welcoming seven new members: Angola, Bangladesh, Gabon, Guatemala, Kenya, Senegal, and Tanzania. This milestone brings together nations representing over 1.5 billion people, united in the fight against plastic pollution and its root causes.

Clemence Schmid, GPAP Director at the World Economic Forum, remarked, “Reaching this 25-nation milestone is not just a celebration of numbers, it’s a testament to the growing global determination to tackle one of the world’s most pressing challenges.”

Plastic waste remains a critical global issue. Annually, 6 million tonnes of plastic enter oceans, while double that volume pollutes land, wreaking havoc on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being. Alarmingly, plastic pollution also drives climate change, contributing 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Methane from landfills, a potent greenhouse gas, underscores the need for improved waste management systems.

GPAP’s approach focuses on promoting a circular plastics economy, which could drastically reduce pollution and emissions. By 2030, circular solutions are projected to create up to 6 million jobs globally, with the plastics sector playing a pivotal role in this transition.

This expansion underscores GPAP’s position as the world’s leading initiative to address plastic pollution, offering impactful solutions to protect ecosystems, support livelihoods, and reduce greenhouse gases.