WCC NEWS: Voices from Asia: faith, justice, and the struggle against plastic pollution

Plastic pollution continues to threaten creation, human dignity, and the wellbeing of communities across the globe—especially in Asia, where vulnerable populations often carry the heaviest burden of environmental degradation. As the world engaged in the United Nations Environment Programme plastic treaty negotiations, the role of faith communities in lifting up the voices of the marginalized became ever more urgent. Photo: Courtesy of Jed Alegado 03 September 2025 Jed Alegado is a Filipino researcher and advocate whose work bridges grassroots experiences, global negotiations, and faith-inspired visions for ecological justice. Drawing from his years of environmental activism and his current PhD research, Alegado reflects on how communities, youth, and churches in Asia are resisting the tide of plastic pollution, and how their witness might help shape more just and sustainable policies for the future.   Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to focus your research on plastic pollution in Asia, and to participate in the plastic treaty negotiations? Alegado:  I am Jed Alegado, a Filipino currently based in Canberra, Australia. Prior to starting my PhD at the Australian National University, I used to be an environmental nongovernmental organization worker for more than 10 years. My previous work for Oxfam on climate change and how it exacerbates poverty and vulnerability, especially in the Global South, and my five years of work as a communications manager for the Asia Pacific in Break Free From Plastic led me to this research.  Most countries in South East Asia are being blamed for being the cause of plastic pollution and yet we forget to take into account how plastic pollution starts from the corporate headquarters and board rooms of multinational corporations in the North. They are the ones deciding on the plastic packaging that they impinge on Global South markets for example, sachets and packets used to hold toiletries and cooking ingredients in markets in developing countries.    Can you describe some of your current research or projects related to plastic pollution in Asia, and how these initiatives involve or empower local communities, youth, and churches? Alegado: I have conducted my research in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, an island province in the Philippines. This research allowed me to see the impacts of plastic pollution in these communities while seeing how communities, ordinary individuals, waste workers, mothers, local government officials, and village officials are prefiguring a world free from plastic pollution through zero-waste practices, in particular decentralized solid waste management system.  Through the process, I have seen how local communities, youth, and religious groups are thinking about alternative forms of development in their communities.  Members of the Scientists Coalition who were present in Geneva August 2025, for the Plastics Treaty negotiations. Photo: Courtesy of Jed Alegado How might churches and religious networks help ensure that the voices of vulnerable or marginalised communities in Asia are heard in the plastic treaty negotiations? Alegado: I think an interfaith dialogue is needed to ensure that voices of vulnerable and marginalized communities especially those who are active with their faith, are heard in these spaces. I am a practicing Roman Catholic so I am quite curious about how Pope Leo XIV thinks about the ongoing plastics negotiations process. His predecessor was a strong advocate of the environment so I was looking for that. That could have made a dent.    Have you seen examples where churches or Christian youth groups in Asia have successfully mobilised action on plastic waste, or environmental stewardship? What lessons could be applied in the treaty process? Alegado: Yes, the youth and some Christian youth groups in Asia are mobilizing action on environmental issues like plastic pollution crisis, climate change, and biodiversity. I have seen how they are creatively using their talents and skills to offer solutions while at the same time pushing back on policies or infrastructure developments that will have impact on the planet and ultimately the people.  With regards to your second question, maybe we need to think about multilateralism—the UN process. What if we have more citizen assemblies made up of ordinary citizens—not government ministers and diplomats—deciding on key environmental issues? I am sure citizen assemblies can come up with more concrete agreements.   How can young people of faith in Asia influence national delegations or local governments to adopt stronger plastic reduction measures within the treaty framework? Alegado: Organize, mobilize, and seek accountability from power holders and duty bearers!  See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland