Hawaii Resolution Calls for Global Action on Plastic Pollution and Climate Justice

Staff Writer

The Hawaii State Legislature has formally passed a concurrent resolution urging the state’s adoption of recommendations from the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty and the Rapa Nui Summit Declaration—marking a critical step in aligning state-level environmental policies with global initiatives focused on eliminating plastic pollution and promoting climate justice.

The resolution, passed during the Thirty-third Legislative Session, outlines Hawaii’s commitment to sustainable development by endorsing legally binding international efforts that address the full life cycle of plastics, from design and production to disposal and reuse. It also signals a growing alignment between Pacific Island jurisdictions and the broader global environmental governance landscape.

Addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis

The resolution explicitly recognizes the urgency of the “triple planetary crisis” as defined by the United Nations: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. As a state uniquely vulnerable to climate-induced sea-level rise and marine degradation, Hawaii is reinforcing its leadership role in the Pacific by promoting sustainable, culturally relevant, and science-based solutions.

Lawmakers emphasized the ecological, cultural, and economic value of the Pacific Ocean—Moananuiākea—to indigenous communities and future generations. The resolution acknowledges the central role of indigenous knowledge, local leadership, women, and youth in ocean stewardship and climate resilience.

Alignment with the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty

The United Nations Global Plastics Treaty, currently under development, seeks to establish global standards for plastic production, consumption, and waste management. The Hawaii resolution affirms the need for binding commitments that:

• Phase out high-risk plastic products, including single-use items and unnecessary packaging;
• Standardize plastic product design to reduce consumption and facilitate reuse;
• Improve chemical transparency, traceability, and hazard regulation across the plastic value chain;
• Support a circular economy, prioritizing non-toxic reuse systems;
• And ensure a just transition for workers and communities affected by systemic changes in the plastics economy.

Notably, the treaty’s benchmarks include a 30% reduction in plastic packaging over a 12-year period, beginning with an initial 10% reduction by 2027—standards that Hawaii aims to mirror through local regulatory and incentive-based strategies.

Supporting the Rapa Nui Summit Declaration

The resolution also references the Rapa Nui Pacific Leaders Summit Declaration, which emerged from a regional summit held on Easter Island. The declaration identifies key priorities for reducing plastic and microplastic pollution across the Pacific and emphasizes the integration of indigenous wisdom with scientific research.

Operationalizing the Resolution: Local Implications

The resolution outlines a series of goals and policy considerations for Hawaii, including:

• Establishing economic incentives aligned with the Zero Waste Hierarchy;
• Advancing chemical monitoring and quality control measures;
• Promoting extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks;
• And safeguarding waste pickers and vulnerable workers through inclusive, rights-based transition mechanisms.

Further, the resolution calls for Hawaii to increase participation in UN-led climate, development, and human rights processes, reinforcing the state’s commitment to environmental governance that prioritizes both planetary and human health.