Who is behind this movement?
This movement is driven by a growing global coalition of non-profit organizations, experts, and concerned citizens who recognize that our ocean is not a bottomless dump. We are uniting to demand that our world leaders take decisive action to end the sewage pollution crisis in our oceans.
What are the goals of the Action Platform?
- To build a powerful coalition of support by collecting signatures from individuals and organizations worldwide, demonstrating public demand for a UN resolution.
- To gather feedback to help shape the treaty's framework, ensuring it is robust, effective, and based on the objectives drafted in the platform.
What is the proposed Global Sewage Treaty?
The proposed Global Sewage Treaty is a formal resolution at the United Nations. Its core mission is to eliminate sewage and wastewater pollution from our ocean by creating a binding international framework for action, cooperation, and accountability.
Why is a Global Sewage Treaty needed?
Sewage and wastewater pollution is a crisis hiding in plain sight, with devastating consequences:
- A Global Health and Environmental Crisis: Some estimates say that between 70 and 80 percent of sewage and wastewater enter the environment untreated. This pollution negatively impacts human health, marine biodiversity, marine protected areas, and worsens ocean acidification.
- A Major Source of Plastics: It brings plastics and microplastics into our waterways and oceans.
- An Economic Scourge: This pollution results in an estimated four trillion dollars in annual economic losses globally.
How does this align with the UN SDGs?
A Global Sewage Treaty is a direct driver for achieving critical SDGs:
- SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation: With one in three people living without sanitation, this treaty is essential to "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all." By redefining standards and creating financing for infrastructure, it will stop the senseless suffering and loss of life caused by inadequate sanitation.
- SDG 14 - Life Below Water: To "conserve and sustainably use the oceans," we must eliminate pollution at its source. This treaty directly addresses one of the greatest threats to marine health, protecting marine life and the resources we rely on for food, energy, and water.
How would the Treaty work? What are its key objectives?
The treaty would establish a new global standard with clear, enforceable objectives:
- Create Strong Monitoring Systems: Establish robust systems for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) to understand the full global burden of pollution at the country, regional, and global levels.
- Redefine Regulatory Standards: Update standards for sewage treatment to account for modern pollutants like microplastics, nutrient pollution, heavy metals, and PFAS/PFOA.
- Enforce and Strengthen Governance: Enhance existing regulations and foster innovative partnerships among governments, development banks, NGOs, the private sector, and UN agencies.
- Set International Targets: Commit countries to clear, measurable targets for reducing or eliminating sewage pollution through adequate treatment.
- Promote Nature-Based Solutions: Scale up circular water economies and green infrastructure to reduce water waste and excess nutrient runoff.
- Create Innovative Financing: Develop new funding mechanisms for planning, governance, and infrastructure development and maintenance.
Where would this Treaty be enacted?
The treaty would be a United Nations resolution, making it a global instrument. Its provisions would be implemented at the national level by member countries, with coordination and support at the regional and international levels.
When do we need action?
The time for action is now. The Ocean Sewage Alliance is working with UN member states, including Fiji and Caribbean nations, to formally call for a global sewage treaty resolution at the UN Environment Assembly this December in Nairobi, Kenya. This is a pivotal moment. By signing this platform, you are adding urgent, global support to this critical initiative.
Deadline to sign on before UNEA: November 15, 2025.
