This week marks the beginning of final talks on a Global Plastics Treaty – it’s the last, critical round of UN talks on the first treaty of its kind to end plastic waste. But what is it and why does it matter?
What is the Global Plastics Treaty?
The Global Plastics Treaty, officially known as the ‘International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution’, is a proposed international agreement aimed at addressing the environmental and health crises caused by plastic pollution.
Guided by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) and developed under the UN’s Environment programme (UNEP), the plan is to create a legally-binding initiative that sees countries around the world commit to curbing plastic pollution and its impact on our health and environment.
Key features include addressing the full lifecycle approach, from production and design to consumption and waste management, while encouraging cross-border cooperation and shared technology to tackle the issue.
The treaty was officially announced in March 2022, with 175 nations endorsing a landmark resolution to tackle the problem once and for all, and saw the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) tasked with drafting the treaty by the end of 2024. This week, the talks come to a head in Busan, South Korea, where the final version of the treaty is set to be agreed by 1st December.
But why is the Global Plastics Treaty so important?
Today, more than 400million tonnes of plastic is produced annually, and around 11million tonnes ends up in our oceans every year. Without intervention, it’s predicted this could triple by 2040, causing a detrimental impact on our marine ecosystems and wildlife.
However, it’s not just our wild animals and wild spaces affected by the problem. The impact on humans is alarming, with microplastics now found in food, water, and even air. They have also been found in human placenta, blood, and breastmilk, while the production and disposal of plastics release toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and respiratory diseases.
The damage caused plastic production and pollution globally incurs billions of pounds annually. Meanwhile, developing countries often bear the brunt of the plastic waste, with much of it being exported from wealthier nations.
This is where the treaty comes into play – by attempting to build a unified, global framework to address the problem head-on, and ensure collective accountability.
Will it work?
The Global Plastics Treaty is seen as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the planet.
That’s why environmental charities and organisations around the world are calling for meaningful action over empty promises, and a global cap on plastic production.
From limiting plastic production and use, to holding polluting companies accountable and demanding full transparency on the industry, it’s an opportunity to significantly curb plastic pollution and its far-reaching consequences.
However, with 99% of plastic production derived from fossil fuels, countries with large fossil fuel and chemical industries face losing profits under strict rules. And with rising numbers of pro-plastic lobbyists forming an increasing presence at UN talks, communities most impacted by the plastic crisis are struggling to have their voices heard.
The key to success will be coming to a realistic agreement to curb the production of plastic, and create a more circular industry that reduces and reuses plastic waste more effectively.
What can I do to make a difference?
While the talks are set to come to an end this week, there is still time to have your voice heard. You can email or call your MP to make your concerns known, or sign a petition with the many organisations calling for real change (including the Greenpeace petition, which you can sign right here).
Here in Penzance, you can take local action with Plastic Free Penzance, who work with the likes of environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage to link into national campaigns (such as limiting single-use plastics) to help bring about system change nationally, as well as locally.
You can also check out some of their local initiatives to help reduce your own plastic use, such as PackSwap PZ and Refill PZ, which each aim to encourage behaviour change at town community level.
However you decide to get involved, by joining the call and demanding an ambitious and strong global plastics treaty that will limit plastic production and use, we can ensure a cleaner, safer future for generations to come.
