OTTAWA: The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, has embarked on a mission to propel the draft global treaty on plastic pollution closer to its final form.
The urgency behind this endeavour stems from the imperative to curb plastic pollution and lay the groundwork for a sustainable future.As the committee convenes from April 23 to 29, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada, the global community is anticipating some significant strides towards this shared goal.
The journey towards this occasion can be traced back to March 2022, during the resumed fifth session of UN Environment Assembly, where a resolution was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Since then, INC has pursued its mandate, fuelled by the ambition to conclude negotiations by the end of 2024.
With each session, the momentum towards decisive action has intensified. The next session is at Busan, South Korea, this year after which heads of state will sign an agreement at a diplomatic conference.
At the heart of the matter lies the exponential rise in plastic production, underpinned by a linear, resource-inefficient model. This take-make-waste approach has exacerbated the plastic pollution crisis, posing grave threats to human health, environmental integrity and climate stability. Alarming projections suggest a staggering 70% increase in plastic production by 2040 if current trends persist, further exacerbating the ecological burden. Moreover, the life cycle of plastic – from production to disposal – contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the interconnectedness of environmental challenges.
The journey towards a global plastic pollution treaty has not been without challenges. The formidable influence of pro-plastic lobbies, including the ‘like-minded’ countries and industry lobby, advocating for downstream interventions like extended producer responsibility (EPR) and recycling, has posed a formidable obstacle.
However, there is hope as the invaluable contributions of indigenous communities and their traditional knowledge in fostering environmental stewardship has been widely acknowledged. Recognising the importance of intergenerational wisdom, efforts to preserve and transmit this knowledge to future generations have been underscored.
Additionally, the pivotal role of informal actors, such as waste pickers, in urban waste management, was highlighted, emphasizing the importance of a just transition for these essential contributors in the global plastic pollution treaty. There is a growing recognition of the imperative to address the entire plastic life cycle, encompassing production, manufacturing and waste management, to stem the tide of pollution effectively.
Where the treaty text will stand and how it will translate to local actions on the ground, only time will tell. This is a crucial week for all of us!
(Swati Singh Sambyal is an international circular economy expert)
The urgency behind this endeavour stems from the imperative to curb plastic pollution and lay the groundwork for a sustainable future.As the committee convenes from April 23 to 29, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada, the global community is anticipating some significant strides towards this shared goal.
The journey towards this occasion can be traced back to March 2022, during the resumed fifth session of UN Environment Assembly, where a resolution was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Since then, INC has pursued its mandate, fuelled by the ambition to conclude negotiations by the end of 2024.
With each session, the momentum towards decisive action has intensified. The next session is at Busan, South Korea, this year after which heads of state will sign an agreement at a diplomatic conference.
At the heart of the matter lies the exponential rise in plastic production, underpinned by a linear, resource-inefficient model. This take-make-waste approach has exacerbated the plastic pollution crisis, posing grave threats to human health, environmental integrity and climate stability. Alarming projections suggest a staggering 70% increase in plastic production by 2040 if current trends persist, further exacerbating the ecological burden. Moreover, the life cycle of plastic – from production to disposal – contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the interconnectedness of environmental challenges.
The journey towards a global plastic pollution treaty has not been without challenges. The formidable influence of pro-plastic lobbies, including the ‘like-minded’ countries and industry lobby, advocating for downstream interventions like extended producer responsibility (EPR) and recycling, has posed a formidable obstacle.
However, there is hope as the invaluable contributions of indigenous communities and their traditional knowledge in fostering environmental stewardship has been widely acknowledged. Recognising the importance of intergenerational wisdom, efforts to preserve and transmit this knowledge to future generations have been underscored.
Additionally, the pivotal role of informal actors, such as waste pickers, in urban waste management, was highlighted, emphasizing the importance of a just transition for these essential contributors in the global plastic pollution treaty. There is a growing recognition of the imperative to address the entire plastic life cycle, encompassing production, manufacturing and waste management, to stem the tide of pollution effectively.
Where the treaty text will stand and how it will translate to local actions on the ground, only time will tell. This is a crucial week for all of us!
(Swati Singh Sambyal is an international circular economy expert)
