Negotiations persist for a groundbreaking agreement aimed at combating plastic pollution
In the heart of Geneva, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee phase 5.2 (INC-5.2) meeting recently concluded without a finalized agreement on a legally binding global treaty aimed at comprehensively addressing plastic pollution[1]. This historic treaty, intended to regulate the full lifecycle of plastics from design to disposal, has faced deep divisions among states, with negotiations set to resume at a later date.
The talks, spanning three days, have been marked by significant differences between two key coalitions: the "high ambition" coalition and the "like-minded group." The high ambition coalition, consisting of the European Union, many African and Latin American countries, Australia, Britain, Switzerland, Canada, small island states, and others, seeks a legally-binding treaty that addresses all stages of plastic's life cycle[2]. On the other hand, the like-minded group, which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, Iran, Malaysia, the United States, and India, wants the treaty to primarily focus on waste management[3].
Informal discussions on the sidelines are reportedly moving quickly, with some signs of progress that could potentially be formalized in the treaty[1]. However, these differences in ambition and focus have so far prevented a unified agreement.
Claire Arkin, spokeswoman for the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, suggested that a vote could be called to force countries blocking the process to make compromises and avoid losing the treaty[4]. Meanwhile, an African negotiator expressed optimism, anticipating a treaty to be finalized by Thursday, even if it is not comprehensive[5].
The negotiations have covered a wide range of topics, including the design of plastic, waste management, production, financing for recycling, plastic reuse, funding waste collection in developing countries, and molecules and chemical additives that pose environmental and health risks[1]. For instance, France's Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher stated that 15 tonnes of plastic are released into the ocean every minute, which equates to nearly 8 million tonnes per year, or 800 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower[6].
Matthew Wilson, Barbados's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, emphasized the pervasive and expensive nature of plastic pollution in small islands due to a lack of waste management and recycling facilities[7]. These islands, heavily impacted by plastic pollution, are part of the high ambition coalition that seeks a comprehensive solution to this global issue.
As the UN convenes a meeting of 184 countries to discuss the plastic pollution treaty, the outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications for our planet's health and future. Monitoring forthcoming reports from the next negotiation sessions or official UN summaries will provide valuable insights into the factional positions and the progress towards a comprehensive and binding agreement on plastic pollution.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-fail-reach-agreement-2021-08-05/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-fail-reach-agreement-2021-08-05/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-fail-reach-agreement-2021-08-05/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-fail-reach-agreement-2021-08-05/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-fail-reach-agreement-2021-08-05/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-fail-reach-agreement-2021-08-05/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-fail-reach-agreement-2021-08-05/
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