Time to count plastics in climate action | Science

In November, representatives of Paris Agreement signatory countries will meet at the Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Brazil. Before the meeting, each country should strengthen its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to reducing greenhouse gases by incorporating plastic emissions into its plans. Plastic production and waste contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, yet 94% of Paris Agreement signatory countries (183 countries of 194 total) ignore plastics within their NDC plans, creating a major gap in climate mitigation efforts (1). Countries should compile their plastic-related emissions data (2) and use the information to amend NDC plans.