Image: @narendramodi at United Nations
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a global ban on single-use plastics at a United Nations event on Monday (September 9).
The leader, who has already announced a ban on single-use plastics in India, addressed global leaders at the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) at a UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Greater Noida.
He said: “My Government has announced that India will put an end to single use plastic in the coming years. I believe the time has come for even the world to say good-bye to single use plastic.”
India plans to scrap single use plastic by 2022, and as part of the initiative Prime Minister Modi will launch a campaign to ban six items on October 2 – the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Plastic bags, cups, plates, small bottles, straws and certain types of sachets will be outlawed next month.
The country is expected to reduce the annual consumption of 14 million tonnes of plastic by an estimated five per cent.
Climate change
The Indian PM also highlighted his government’s efforts to combat climate change, water scarcity and land desertification.
“It is widely accepted the world is facing the negative impact of climate change,” he said.
“Between 2015 and 2017, India’s tree and forest cover increased by 0.8 million hectares.”
The PM also promoted India’s space programme, offering ‘friendly countries’ help with land restoration strategies using remote sensing technologies.
In his speech, he acknowledged that climate change was a global concern and leaders needed to work together to effect change.
“We may introduce any number of frameworks but real change will always be powered by teamwork on the ground,” he said.
India is set to become the COP’s highest decision-making body, for a two-year term, and the PM said the nation ‘looks forward to making an effective contribution’ to the world’s fight against climate change.
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