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The Climate �Impacts of Plastics

Dr. Xuejing Chen, Pacific Environment​�INC-2 Paris​ | 29 MAY 2023

MODELING THE STEPS TOWARD ​�ZERO PLASTIC EMISSIONS 

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Plastic emits greenhouse gases�throughout its lifecycle.� Each kg of plastic averages 5 kg CO2 emissions:

6% (0.3 kg CO2 )

Fossil Fuel extraction

6% (0.3 kg CO2)

Electricity production

4% (0.2 kg CO2) Refining

18% (0.9 kg CO2)

Cracking & other

foreground process

12% (0.6 kg CO2) Polymerization and blending

54% (2.7 kg CO2)

End of life treatment

Materials Economics, 2019

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Business-as-usual will result in emissions �exceeding the carbon budget by 3 times.

Emissions under BAU scenario

  • Cumulative emissions could reach 65 Gt by 2050

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  • Account for 16% of planetary boundary of 1.5 degree Celsius temperature change scenario.

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Emission reduction pathways for the plastics sector

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75% of plastic needs to be eliminated �by 2050.

  • Single use plastic accounts for 44% of plastic production. 

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  • To reach zero emissions, single use plastic must be phased out by 2040, and we must sharply reduce durable plastic.

75% vs. BAU

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Global Plastics Treaty interventions

  1. Set science-based reduction targets for plastic within planetary limits: 
      • Limit petrochemical expansion and cap the production and consumption of plastic.
      • Reduce plastics of 75% by 2050.
      • Phase out single-use plastic by 2040 or sooner.  

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  • Measure all plastics emissions and hold the industry accountable: Ensure full life cycle analysis of plastic’s climate impacts — from the mining of fossil fuels to plastic disposal — to mitigate greenwashing and uncounted emissions. 

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About Pacific Environment

Founded in 1987, Pacific Environment is a 501(c)(3) �public-benefit corporation, headquartered in San Francisco, with regional offices in Anchorage, Alaska, and Chongqing, China. 

  • Our program areas are Climate, Marine Protection, Arctic, and China. 
  • We are part of the Break Free From Plastic global network.

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Thank you

​

Dr. Xuejing Chen

xchen@pacificenvironment.org

Read the report! 

bit.ly/stemmingplastic