World Environment Day 2025: Addressing plastic pollution in aviation

Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Environment Day is observed every year on June 5th. It serves as the largest global platform for environmental outreach. The day highlights a pressing environmental issue that raises awareness and galvanizes mitigation actions. In 2025, the Republic of Korea is hosting World Environment Day, with a focus on plastic pollution.

According to UNEP, the global production of primary plastic is forecasted to reach 1,100 million tonnes by 2050. This is exacerbated by the alarming number of single-use plastic (SUP) products, which are meant to be thrown away after a single short use. Some 98 percent of SUP products are produced from fossil fuels or “virgin” feedstock.

Plastic pollution worsens the impacts of the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, use and disposal of conventional fossil fuel-based plastics is forecast to grow to 19 per cent of the global carbon budget by 2040. The associated social and environmental cost are estimated to range between USD300 billion and USD600 billion annually.

The 2025 World Environment Day focuses on the growing scientific evidence on the impacts of plastic pollution and drives momentum to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastic use. It will also reinforce the Resolution adopted by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2022, which requested the UNEP to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally-binding instrument on plastic pollution. The INC process is ongoing, with the second part of the fifth session of negotiation scheduled to take place from 5 to 14 August 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, to advance discussions towards an agreement.

Plastic pollution is a widespread global challenge that affects all facets of life and is intrinsically linked to the operations of every sector, including international aviation. The aviation sector uses a variety of SUP across its operations. Their lightweight nature, low cost, and hygienic and safety benefits make plastics a preferred material for hospitality services both onboard aircraft and in airports. However, in response to the escalating plastic pollution crisis, the sector is increasingly exploring ways to reduce SUP consumption and improve waste management practices.

ICAO has addressed the issue of plastics across various platforms, including the ICAO Green Airports Seminar in April 2024. These discussions have emphasized the role of the aviation industry in the global efforts to beat plastic pollution. Notably, the discussions were detailed in an article published on Earth Day 2024, titled Earth Day 2024: international civil aviation’s role in addressing plastic pollution.

The ICAO Committee on Aviation and Environmental Protection (CAEP) has also developed guidance and best practices on this matter under the 2024 Eco Airport Toolkit Publication on Single-Use Plastics.  This Eco Airport Toolkit explains the considerations for addressing SUPs in the aviation sector as well as showcases good practices in the aviation sector to provide guidance to stakeholders in support of their efforts to mitigate plastic pollution.

Just ahead of the World Environment Day 2025, the ICAO Aviation Climate Week— Skyward Action: Realizing Aviation’s Sustainable Future was held from 2 to 4 June 2025 at ICAO Headquarters in Montréal, Canada. The event offered a platform for participants to review overall progress and engage in discussions on the latest developments and achievements across all aviation environmental topics, including sustainable practices in airports and aviation operations.

The upcoming 42^nd Session of the ICAO Assembly, to be held from 23 September to 3 October 2025, is expected to further reaffirm the international aviation sector’s commitment to cooperate closely with other UN bodies and international organization on the understanding of aviation impacts on the environment and on the establishment of policies to address such matters. This would enhance the sector’s contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to plastic pollution.

As identified in various studies, plastic pollution is present everywhere, from the Mariana Trench (deepest ocean point) to Mount Everest (highest mountain peak). The aviation sector is not exempted, given both the impact of its operations on plastic pollution and the consequences of plastic pollution on aviation-related activities, such as tourism.

The aviation sector stands ready to continue to contribute to the global effort towards ending plastic pollution, as demonstrated by its growing focus and initiatives on this critical issue. Together, we can #BeatPlasticPollution and build a healthier and sustainable future.