Japan, U.S., EU to Estimate Plastic Waste Inflows into Oceans

Tokyo, Oct. 2 (Jiji Press)--Japan plans to lead work to estimate the amount of marine plastic waste released from each country, in cooperation with the United States and the European Union, according to informed sources. Talks on the matter will start at a four-day working-level meeting of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies in Tokyo from Tuesday, the sources said. The Japanese government aims to announce the results of the discussions at a G-20 meeting in Saudi Arabia next year. Estimates currently used widely are those released by U.S. and other researchers in 2015. But their figures are rough estimates based on coastal populations, the sizes of economies and other data. Their estimates put the annual amount released from Japan at 20,000 to 60,000 tons. The volume for China is given at 1.32 million to 3.53 million tons. Japan, the United States and EU have decided to take the initiative in establishing a method for obtaining estimates closer to reality, as there are no statistics created under an international agreement, according to the sources. In June this year, the G-20 energy and environment ministers agreed to set up the first international framework for cooperation to reduce marine plastic waste. The forthcoming Tokyo meeting will be the first opportunity for G-20 members to report their efforts made within the framework. The meeting is also seen as a starting point toward the realization of the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, approved at the G-20 summit in Osaka in June, to reduce additional marine plastic pollution to zero by 2050. On Tuesday, Japan, the United States and EU will jointly hold a workshop, mainly for specialists, on methods for measuring plastic waste volume and the development of water-soluble plastic. The EU will mainly be in charge of estimating the amount of waste released into the ocean, while Japan will take the lead in measuring the actual amount of marine plastic litter. The United States will focus on technological innovations such as the development of materials. At the Tokyo meeting, a report will be drawn up to summarize measures against marine waste taken by G-20 members. Also planned is the adoption of a road map to promote effective waste management, including a reduction in food loss, and efficient use of resources. END