Dalhousie University professor Tony Walker is set to virtually engage with the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) this Thursday. The INC is currently in its sixth round of discussions focusing on a globally binding treaty to address plastic pollution. The ongoing session, which commenced on Tuesday and is slated to run until August 14, involves 175 countries, including Canada.
While acknowledging Canada’s efforts in combating plastic pollution, Walker emphasizes the need for more significant actions on a global scale. He expresses concerns about potential obstacles to reaching a consensus, particularly mentioning countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. Walker highlights the interconnectedness of economies, stating that even if Canada ceases all plastic production, it remains just one player in the global trade system.
Walker mentions that Canada’s INC team regularly consults with experts like him before and after each meeting. The original deadline for the committee was set for December 2024 in Busan, South Korea. However, due to substantial disagreements among countries, an agreement was not reached.
Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the chair of the negotiating committee, stresses the urgent need to address plastic pollution, noting the challenge in finding effective solutions despite the universal desire to reduce plastic waste.
Experts emphasize the necessity for immediate action, citing increasing awareness of the adverse environmental and health impacts of plastics, including microplastics. Walker underscores the urgency of reaching a consensus on plastic pollution, emphasizing its pervasive presence in various ecosystems.
Various groups, including Greenpeace, advocate for substantial reductions in plastic production by 2040 to combat the escalating plastic pollution crisis. The Lancet Countdown on health and plastics, published in Health Policy, reveals alarming statistics on plastic recycling rates and pollution levels.
Canada is part of the High Ambition Coalition, dedicated to ending plastic pollution by 2040. Walker commends Canada’s proactive stance on plastic pollution and its commitment to global agreements aimed at mitigating environmental harm.
Christa Seaman, representing the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, participates as an observer in the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to a circular economy focused on reusing plastics. She highlights discussions on waste management, extended producer responsibility, and product design during the negotiations.
Seaman stresses the significance of collective action and a unified treaty to combat plastic pollution effectively. She emphasizes the importance of progress over perfection and expresses optimism about nations aligning their efforts towards a comprehensive agreement.
Tim Rodgers, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia, underscores the critical gaps in managing plastic chemicals globally. He hopes that a global agreement will address these gaps, emphasizing the need for transparency throughout the entire life cycle of plastic products.
The ongoing negotiations in Geneva are crucial in addressing these gaps and ensuring comprehensive management of plastics worldwide. Rodgers emphasizes the importance of considering the entire life cycle of plastics, not just waste management, in any global agreement.
