EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler recently attended the inaugural G20 Energy and Environmental Ministers Meeting in Japan, which included a session focused on resource efficiency and marine debris. Wheeler addressed marine debris in meetings with Japan, South Korea, Thailand, China, and Vietnam, including working together to assist Asian nations with reducing their contributions to marine debris and areas to lend technical support and expertise to help them do so.
In addition to highlighting progress in the U.S. on reducing emissions, Wheeler pledged that the U.S. “will continue to work with our G20 members to combat marine litter, improve water quality, and reduce air pollution while promoting innovation and economic prosperity,” and noted that “[t]here are many environmental matters where working together we can make genuine progress to improve the environment and living conditions around the world.”
The meeting concluded with consensus on areas including the G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter and Energy and Environment Communique.
