This book shows how virtually all forms of natural capital, but particularly “blue” natural capital – skies and seas – has been degrading in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region over the last three decades, and focuses on the three challenges of air pollution, marine plastics, and coastal erosion.

Unsustainable consumption, driven by the increasing extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, and production, is contributing to environmental degradation and the acceleration of climate change. In developing Asia, consumption trends will continue to rise as populations and economies grow.

The predicted rise in plastic pollution spilling into the environment constitutes a planetary emergency, the latest report warns.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide its notification dated 18th January 2022 has notified the Draft Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2022 through which it has widen the scope of the definitions and increased the responsibility of plastic manufacturers and importers in India.

Plastics were first developed in 1907 with the discovery of Bakelite, a synthetic polymer that could be easily massproduced. This invention led to countless innovations and new products as plastics became an essential material of the global economy. In 1989 the world produced about 100 million tonnes (Mt) of plastic every year.

This is a first-of-its-kind report on the state and impacts of plastic pollution in Africa, combined with existing policy and legal frameworks to address the issue and recommendations on the policy options required to tackle the challenges – urgently, holistically and in a coordinated manner.

Sustainable management of plastic will be crucial for Bangladesh to tackle the increasing plastic pollution and ensure green growth, says a new World Bank Report.

This report presents the results of a study on agricultural plastic products used globally in a range of different value chains. The study assessed the types and quantities of plastic products, their benefits and trade-offs.

Water pollution caused by microplastics generated from land-based sources (e.g.

Niti Aayog has suggested that urban local bodies (ULBs) could provide land to set up material recovery facilities (MRFs) to be used by various industries to set up infrastructure for efficient plastic waste management.