Plastic production, consumption and pollution levels have increased exponentially since plastic became widespread in the 1950s. More than 2,000 animal species have encountered plastic pollution in their environment, and nearly 90% of species specifically studied are known to be negatively affected.
WWF and the Plastic Free Foundation commissioned global research company Ipsos to undertake this survey. It was conducted online, with 23,029 respondents in 34 countries. In March 2022, the governments of 175 countries agreed to start work on a global treaty on plastic pollution, covering the full plastic lifecycle, from extraction of oil and gas and plastic production, through to design, use, and management of plastic waste.
WWF and the Plastic Free Foundation wanted to explore people’s views on possible approaches to a treaty and whether it should include global rules to curb plastic consumption and pollution. To do this, they asked people from 34 countries questions about how a treaty could be set up and specific global rules that could be included in a treaty.
