Next week, world leaders will meet online and in Nairobi (Kenya) in what is being described as a crucial moment in the development of the first ever global treaty on plastic waste. Inger Andersen is the director of UN Environment Programme. He said that the UN environment assembly agreement could be the most significant multilateral pact since 2015’s Paris climate accord.
She said that public disgust and impatience at the increasing amount of plastic waste has led a remarkable level of focus, which could see member states agree a blueprint for a legally binding agreement to control plastics from source-to-sea.
Andersen explained to the Guardian that public impatience is a powerful trait. The public is fed up. Plastic is our dependency, but the public wants to see a solution.
The US, which generates more plastic trash per person than any other nation in the world, joined France in calling earlier this month for a global agreement that recognizes the importance Reduce curbing [plastic waste]At its source.
The fifth UN environment assembly will be held from 28 February to 2March. Its main purpose is to develop broad terms for a global plastic pollution agreement and to create an intergovernmental committee (INC). This committee will then broker a final deal. The INC would negotiate a final treaty if member states agree to a framework.
Only 9% are made of plasticIt can be recycled. It is difficult to recycle, slow-to-death, expensive, polluting to burn and breaks down into tiny particles which enter the food chain and cause damage to animals. These microplastics can be found everywhere, from the Arctic icepack to the deep seafloor.
Andersen addressed the delegates Wednesday before the summit. He stated: The world is watching with both anxiety and hope. We are witnessing unprecedented global momentum in the fight against plastic pollution for the first time ever.
From the 1950s until today, we have produced about 9bn tons of waste and 7bn tons of that has been produced. It doesn’t go away. Although it may feel good to dump it into the recycling container, 76% of it ends in landfills. The rest are incinerated. This causes toxic emissions and carbon dioxide.
The UN could not agree to a treaty to reduce plastic production and use, and ocean plastic pollution could quadruple in 2050, according to a WWF report. This would lead to widespread ecological damage. ReportThis was earlier in the month.
Andersen stated that reducing plastics made from oil or gas has consequences for the environment and pollution levels.
If we can land it [an agreement]It will be the most significant thing we have done in a multilateral agreement on multilateral environment. This issue has never been dealt with with such intensity before. It is a crucial moment and very important.
Negotiators in Nairobi will be examining two main resolutions this week. One is from Rwanda and Peru and addresses the entire lifecycle for plastics. It has the support of more than 70 countries including 27 EU members. The other, from Japan, supported by Cambodia, Palau, and Sri Lanka. It prioritizes waste management interventions, and limits its scope for marine litter.
More than 300 scientists are employed by research organizations. CallingAll UN member countries to accept only the key elements in the stronger Rwanda-Peru Resolution. 90 business leaders, including key producers of plastic waste and fast-moving consumer goods companies have also called for an agreement.
Andersen’s wishlist for the agreement states that it covers the entire lifecycle of plastic, not just the marine litter. It also includes targets and monitoring. It also has a financial component to aid developing countries that are less able to recycle.
Interesting is the fact that 90 CEOs have signed up to the call for a legally binding agreement. This includes PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Procter & Gamble. Then you might ask: Why? Because [of]That’s where the lever is. Many, many others want to see this shift.
