The fifth spherical of negotiations for a brand new World Plastics Treaty to finish plastic air pollution (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee or INC-5) completed in Busan, South Korea on December 1st, 2024. This was speculated to be the ultimate spherical of negotiations, however ultimately the talks had been prolonged.
We all know that we urgently want an bold Plastics Treaty that protects our well being, biodiversity and local weather. Here’s a rundown of the highlights from the talks, together with why we didn’t come away from the assembly with a treaty.
1. We delivered your voice (and face) to world leaders
Greenpeace Worldwide, alongside Frontline activists, poet Nikita Gill, WWF, and Break Free From Plastic, delivered our collective petition — signed by nearly 3 million to Senator Jeff Merkley and Juliet Kabera, Director Normal, Rwanda Atmosphere Administration Authority.
The petition was delivered as a globe to symbolise the tens of millions of individuals all over the world who’ve been calling for cuts to plastic manufacturing during the last two years.
Then, to kick off talks, Greenpeace East Asia Seoul, in collaboration with artist and activist Dan Acher, despatched a daring message to governments flying an enormous eye above treaty talks in Busan to indicate world leaders: #WeAreWatching! The flag is made up of 1000’s of portraits representing tens of millions of signatures of individuals everywhere in the world.
2. The fossil gasoline business labored onerous to derail the whole lot
For the reason that very first spherical of negotiations, oil-producing nations and the petrochemical business have used their energy to be sure that we waste treasured time. This assembly was no exception: 220 fossil gasoline and chemical business lobbyists registered to attend INC-5, the best at any negotiation for the Plastics Treaty to date.
That is greater than the earlier excessive of 196 lobbyists analysed by the Middle for Worldwide Environmental Legislation (CIEL) on the final assembly. That’s greater than the the Scientists’ Coalition for An Efficient Plastic Treaty by three to 1, and the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus by nearly 9 to 1.
3. Over 100 nations stood up for ambition
On the optimistic facet, because of an enormous push from Greenpeace and our allies, over 100 Member States, together with Canada, representing billions of individuals, signed a declaration in help of a significant treaty, together with a worldwide plastic manufacturing discount goal. These nations actually stood up for ambition, the place Panama’s lead negotiator, and the star of the present, Juan Carlos Monterrey, carrying his iconic hat, spoke reality to energy within the room:
“This can be a battle for survival…. Plastics are a weapon of mass destruction.”
This was an enormous second within the treaty course of, and now offers us momentum and a transparent dedication to carry Canada and all these nations accountable as we proceed on this course of to safe a powerful treaty that drastically cuts plastic manufacturing, centres the rights and information of Indigenous Individuals and ensures a simply and inclusive transition to a zero waste, reuse-based future for all impacted communities and teams, and eventually rids our lives of dangerous chemical compounds and plastics.
4. Civil society was locked out
Most of the most important conferences to resolve whether or not we could have a significant treaty occurred behind closed doorways, with no participation from observers allowed. Which means civil society teams, Indigenous rights holders, scientists and others had no visibility into a lot of the negotiations.
This not solely limits accountability for Member States to do one factor and say one other, nevertheless it robs delegations from nations with much less assets of the help they depend on from civil society. That is utterly unjust and outrageous, and we’ll battle onerous to make sure it doesn’t occur once more.
5. We stopped a weak treaty from being signed
Lastly, whereas we didn’t come away with a Plastics Treaty, there was an actual danger at INC-5 that we ended up with a weak treaty written to please a minority of blocking states and their fossil gasoline business supporters. However because of sturdy strain, Member States rejected a toothless deal that may have completed nothing, and stood earlier than the world committing to an bold treaty. Now, it’s time they stand by this promise and ship a powerful treaty for individuals and planet!
Plastic manufacturing is exacerbating the local weather disaster and is ready to triple by 2050. We all know that we can’t recycle our method out of this disaster, we’ve got to make much less plastic! That’s the reason we completely should scale back plastic manufacturing by at the very least 75% by 2040. A powerful World Plastics Treaty should maintain the massive polluters accountable and shield our local weather, our well being and our frequent residence. Onwards to INC-5.2!
Need to add your identify to the motion to battle plastic air pollution? Take motion now and signal and share in the present day!
Sarah King is a Senior Topic Matter Strategist at Greenpeace Canada.
Sam Chetan-Welsh is Senior Coverage Advisor for Greenpeace’s Plastic Free Future Marketing campaign.
