International NGOs applaud the draft resolution as a significant step in addressing the plastic crisis
September 3, 2021
Geneva — The first-ever Ministerial Conference on marine litter and plastic pollution saw the introduction of a groundbreaking draft resolution recommending a legally binding global mechanism addressing the plastic crisis. Now, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) are applauding the effort, while pushing for ‘major powers’ – those who produce and consume the most plastic — to join as co-sponsors.
Following the Conference, Christina Dixon, Deputy Ocean Campaign Lead, EIA, said:
“This was a key meeting for some of the major plastic producing and consuming countries to show they commit to an ambitious and legally binding global plastics treaty. While the threat remains of a weaker rival resolution we can take this moment to recognise the huge progress that has been made in elevating the urgency of plastic pollution – a problem which can now be found affecting every ecosystem on earth, driving both the climate emergency and biodiversity loss.
“This Rwanda – Peru resolution sets the stage for ambitious international action to prevent the impacts of waste colonialism, establish a safe and non-toxic circular economy and re-shape our relationship with plastic for good. In a year of major global convenings on planetary threats, we urge countries to rally in support of swift negotiations to secure a new treaty addressing the full plastics lifecycle.”
Andrés Del Castillo, Senior Attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), stated:
“The Ministerial Conference demonstrates that the United Nations Environmental Assembly’s spring meeting (UNEA 5.1) was not a fluke — an overwhelming number of countries support meaningful reforms that address the plastic crisis. The Ministerial Statement is an indicator that countries are not only willing to move beyond a ‘marine litter’ frame but that they are willing to reduce virgin plastic consumption and address the entire lifecycle of plastics. It is essential that countries remain committed to the vision of revisiting, reforming, and rethinking the entire supply chain — not just through their words but through action. The world cannot ignore the urgent threats that plastic poses to the climate, health, environment, biodiversity, and human rights at every stage of its lifecycle.
“A binding agreement on plastic must be elevated to the top of the global policy making agenda. We urge countries to join the efforts and to quickly advance negotiations.”
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Notes for editors
The government-led Ministerial Conference was co-convened by Ecuador, Germany, Ghana, and Vietnam with the express purpose of building momentum and political will to advance a coherent global strategy to end marine litter and plastic pollution ahead of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) 5.2 in February 2022.
The proposal requests an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for a new legally binding treaty on plastic pollution be established at UNEA 5.2. The key objectives of the proposal are to reduce plastic pollution in all environments and promote a circular economy for plastics.
Key proposals from the resolution include:
- Achieving sustainable production and consumption, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.
- Recognizing the need for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution to prevent and reduce the environmental impact.
- Promoting a circular economy and addressing the full lifecycle of plastics.
- Considering the need for a financial mechanism to support the implementation of priorities, including the option of a dedicated multilateral fund.
- Specifying financial and technical arrangements, as well as technology transfer assistance, to support implementation for all countries.
- Addressing product design and use, including compounds, additives, and harmful substances, as well as intentionally-added microplastics.
From 2018 to the end of the Ministerial Conference, more than 120 states have expressed support for a global treaty. A draft resolution in that regard was brought forward by Rwanda and Peru on September 2nd, and the European Union and its 27 Member States, Senegal, Costa Rica, Norway, Guinea, Switzerland, and the Philippines have stepped forward as co-sponsors. Additional support for exploring the idea of a treaty includes countries that are historically less active during international discussions on plastic, including Indonesia, Libya, and Palestine, and others who have historically opposed such an agreement, including Brazil.”
Despite this progress, several high-consumption countries, including the United States and Japan, have remained unspecific about the nature of their support and whether it extends to addressing issues such as virgin plastic production and whether the agreement should be legally binding. Japan indicated during the meeting that it will present a rival resolution with an eye towards bringing more countries on board.
Media Contacts
Cate Bonacini, CIEL Communiciations Manager, press(at)ciel.org, +1-202-742-5847
Christina Dixon, EIA Deputy Ocean Campaign Lead via christinadixon@eiainternational.org
Sarah Dickinson, EIA Comms Consultant via sarahdickinson@eia-international.org +44 (0) 7812 983 834
Posted on September 3, 2021