November 18, 2021
Washington, DC — Following US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s announcement that the United States supports the development of a global agreement to end plastic pollution, Jane Patton, Plastic and Petrochemical Campaign Manager at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) issued the following statement:
“We welcome the announcement that the United States supports a global agreement to end plastic pollution. As the global leader in plastic production and consumption, the United States’ support is important for the future success of negotiations and the implementation of such an agreement, especially as countries begin discussing draft resolutions on the negotiating mandate ahead of the 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2).”
Andrés Del Castillo, Senior Attorney at CIEL added:
“Broad international support already exists for a new legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including the Oceans Day Declaration, a joint call that is supported by 80 countries and the European Union, and a strong draft resolution that has been submitted for UNEA 5.2. That draft resolution, co-authored by Rwanda and Peru, outlines the process for negotiating a new legally-binding global agreement and has now been co-sponsored by over 40 countries from every region. Rather than chart a new course, we encourage the United States to rally behind these existing movements proposing bold action to address the plastic crisis.”
Patton concluded:
“The world needs a comprehensive approach to ending the plastic crisis, addressing the harms and toxic impacts of plastic, from production through consumption to disposal. Focusing narrowly on only ocean plastic pollution cannot achieve the outcomes that will protect public and environmental health. By taking leadership in addressing the plastic crisis, the United States has an opportunity to take bold action on both health and climate, in addition to environmental protection. We hope that President Biden, his administration, and congress are ready to step up to this challenge.”
###