The last and possibly final round of Global Plastics Treaty talks ended last week in Geneva, Switzerland. The 10-day negotiation at the United Nations Geneva campus sought to finalize a new global treaty to end plastic pollution, but despite round-the-clock efforts and extending the meeting by one day, no treaty emerged from the process. … Read more
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — The fifth resumed session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee to advance a global plastics treaty (INC-5.2) ended with no global agreement to end plastic pollution and no clear path forward. The nearly two week negotiating process was haphazard with limits on civil society participation. While next steps are still unclear, a majority … Read more
Black carbon pollution is a growing threat in the Arctic, and unless international negotiators make significant changes, it will contribute to even greater climate collapse. That’s according to a new report published by Pacific Environment, On thin ice: Why black carbon demands urgent action. Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with my … Read more
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — The Pacific Environment team is on the ground in Geneva, Switzerland for the final round of Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. The day before the start of the negotiations, Pacific Environment joined hundreds of citizens and civil society organizations from across the world who had gathered outside of the Place des Nations in … Read more
Plastic Free July is an opportunity to practice plastic reduction all month long, and to create sustainable foundations for long-term change. This July, we are proud to celebrate the results of our partner GreenHub’s efforts to tackle plastic pollution in one province in Vietnam. GreenHub wrapped up a comprehensive three-year project (ending March 2025) to … Read more
Key takeaways On April 11, 2025, the International Maritime Organization made history and voted to approve the IMO Net-Zero Framework, setting legally-binding emission reduction targets and prices for non-compliance for international ships over the next 30 years and beyond. This is the first time an entire industry has set a price on carbon emissions on … Read more
Earlier this year, the Pacific Environment Vietnam team participated in the “Kitchen God Day” campaign which seeks to merge sustainability and traditional celebrations in Vietnam. The campaign aims to prevent plastic pollution during the Lunar New Year and educate the public about sustainable living practices during this traditional ritual. Over the years, the campaign has … Read more
In February, Pacific Environment hosted a weeklong zero waste workshop in Vietnam. With over 80 participants from NGOs, government and industry around Vietnam and Asia Pacific, participants shared lessons learned from the zero waste movement in different contexts, and explored opportunities and fundraising for the important work ahead. To kick off Earth Month, I wanted … Read more
Last week in Busan, Republic of Korea, world leaders met to once again try to come to agreement over a treaty to address the critical global challenge of plastic pollution. Though this was to be the fifth and final negotiation, delegates failed to prepare a treaty ready for signature. Instead, another meeting will be held … Read more
Cristhian Tapia-Delgado shares his personal journey from growing up in Long Beach to becoming a passionate advocate for environmental justice and clean air in frontline communities impacted by port pollution.
How WIRED’s recent piece on the solution to plastic pollution circumvents the emerging science on plastic and public health. WIRED’s article, “The Cure for Disposable Plastic Crap Is Here—and It’s Loony,” highlights the urgent and daunting task of tackling plastic pollution, but completely misses the point that the solution to the plastic problem is actually … Read more
This month, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Headquarters was packed with about 100 clean air advocates in attendance, who erupted in cheers as the South Coast AQMD’s governing board voted unanimously to adopt the Railyard Indirect Source Rule (ISR). A big win for clean air, the facility-based measure aims to reduce harmful … Read more
July 15th is Arctic Sea Ice Day, an opportunity to draw attention to the rapid decline of sea ice and wildlife habitat. According to the nonprofit Polar Bear International, “The Arctic is now warming nearly four times as fast as the rest of the planet, causing the sea ice to melt. Sea ice is crucial … Read more
SEATTLE, Washington — The Port of Seattle became the first port in the nation to independently require that 100% of all cruise vessels homeported in Seattle be shore power capable and utilize shore power. The order passed by the Port of Seattle Commission yesterday takes effect in the 2027 cruise season, three years before the … Read more
Welcome to the May 2024 edition of Pacific Environment’s new monthly e-newsletter! This is an opportunity to highlight some of our work and share our victories for communities, climate, and wildlife. Ports for People In Los Angeles, a demand for clean air and healthy portside neighborhoods Pacific Environment, in tandem with members of T.H.E. Impact … Read more
In a victory for people and climate, the California Air Resources Board amended the Commercial Harbor Craft Rule in 2022, setting the first zero-emissions mandate for ferries in the U.S and requiring cleaner engine upgrades for tugboats and other regulated vessels. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to approve these lifesaving amendments. … Read more
By Xuan Thi Quach, Vietnam Country Director Greetings from Nairobi, Kenya, from the third round of United Nations negotiations for a Global Plastic Treaty. There are many challenges to achieving a strong treaty, but today I feel optimistic. I am here alongside hundreds of other plastic activists from around the world. We are united in our … Read more
The global shipping industry can reduce emissions by nearly 50% by the end of the decade, according to a new study by CE Delft. These findings come as the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) is about to reach an agreement on climate targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships in July. Civil society groups call on … Read more
A group of fuel production stakeholders, including H2Carrier and MAN Energy Solutions, today joined Environmental Defense Fund in support for the full decarbonisation of the shipping industry by 2050. The companies call on International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member States to develop policies that incentivize the production and adoption of sustainable fuels, and to adopt ambitious interim targets … Read more
The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) agreement on shipping climate targets expected next month could be the starting gun for the radical climate action our planet desperately needs. Civil society groups are calling on the IMO member states to urgently support halving climate pollution from ships by 2030 and reaching zero-emission by 2040, at the Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse … Read more