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Global Plastics Treaty: A Critical Milestone in Tackling Plastic Pollution
Context:
The Global Plastics Treaty aims to address the harmful lifecycle of plastics and their far-reaching effects on human health and the environment.
- Scheduled for final negotiations at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan, South Korea, this treaty seeks to implement robust, legally binding measures to mitigate plastic pollution globally.
Key Highlights of the Treaty Negotiations
- Accountability Through the Polluter-Pays Principle
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- Global Fund: Producers must contribute to a global fund operationalising the polluter-pays principle.
- Support for Developing Nations: Funds will help small island developing states (SIDS) and least-developed countries manage plastic pollution effectively.
- Legacy Plastic Cleanup: The fund will also address the toxic legacy of plastics, including marine plastic gyres.
- Incorporating Human Rights into the Treaty
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- Human-Centric Approach: Experts emphasise that human rights should be central to the treaty.
- Access to Remedies: Protections for vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by plastic pollution are essential.
- Transparency and Accountability: The treaty must include key human rights principles to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness.
- Full Lifecycle Regulation
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- Upstream Measures: Reduction in plastic production, safe chemical use, and phasing out non-essential plastics.
- Midstream Measures: Improved product design for recyclability, reusability, and use of secondary plastics.
- Downstream Measures: Enhancing waste management systems and addressing emissions.
Challenges and Divergences in Negotiations
- Plastic Production Cuts: Oil- and gas-rich nations resist production limits, citing overreach of the treaty’s mandate.
- Chemical Regulation: Disputes over including chemical safety in the treaty, with some countries deferring to other conventions.
- Plastic Bans: Global bans face challenges in uniform implementation, despite over 141 national bans being in place.
Special Focus Areas
- Gender-Differentiated Impacts: Women and children in informal sectors are particularly vulnerable to health risks from harmful chemicals such as EDCs.
- The treaty must address the unique impacts on vulnerable groups to ensure equitable and inclusive solutions.
- Burden on Developing Nations: South Asia and similar regions disproportionately suffer the burden of plastic waste imports from developed nations.
- The treaty aims to ensure producers are held accountable for the environmental and health impacts of their products.
- Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: An inclusive approach requires governments, industries, civil societies, and affected communities to collaborate in addressing the crisis effectively.
About INC
- The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) was established in 2022 to develop a legally binding treaty to address plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments.
- Initiated by a historic UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution, the treaty aims to tackle the entire plastic lifecycle, from production to disposal.
- The resolution mandated the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to convene the INC and finalise the treaty by the end of 2024.
- The INC held its first session (INC-1) in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 28 November to 2 December 2022.
Progress and Future Prospects
- INC’s Achievements So Far: Four negotiation rounds have addressed key issues across the plastic lifecycle, including trade, financing, and just transitions.
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- General agreement exists on downstream measures, but upstream regulations remain contentious.
- Urgent Road Ahead: INC-5 in Busan is pivotal for drafting a treaty text by 2024, targeting adoption in 2025.
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- Success depends on balancing environmental urgency with diverse national interests and industrial concerns.
Conclusion: Towards a Sustainable, Plastic-Free Future
The Global Plastics Treaty offers a historic opportunity to curb plastic pollution through bold and equitable solutions. By incorporating human rights, accountability, and global cooperation, it can transform the way plastics are produced, used, and managed, ensuring a healthier future for people and the planet.
