Plastic pollution knows no boundaries – international efforts are needed
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By A UN Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution could be an essential piece of the puzzle to reach the 2030 sustainable development goals – but success is not guaranteed. ECOS is contributing to the treaty decision-making process as an official observer, advocating for high ambition and the integration of ambitious standards that protect the environment.
Plastic is a cheap, versatile material that has become ubiquitous in our daily lives. Our wellbeing and lifestyle would be unthinkable without it. But transitioning to a circular economy that respects planetary boundaries brings opportunities to change the way we produce and consume.
In a business-as-usual scenario, models suggest that use of plastics could almost triple globally, driven by economic and demographic shifts. Plastic leakage to the environment could double. Pollution caused by plastic harms our environment, our planet, and our bodies. Inaction is not an option.
How close are we to a plastics treaty?
The goal is to have a final draft of the new UN Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution by the end of 2024, . With two of the five scheduled meetings in this ambitious timeline already completed, we are now looking ahead to the third in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2023.
Delegates from 180 nations are involved in the drafting process, alongside hundreds of official observers – including ECOS. NGOs like ECOS have an important role to play in treaty negotiations. As an accredited observer to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Environmental Assembly (UNEA), we are following the process, attending meetings, and sharing information with the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) – in charge of drafting – to convince them of the necessity and feasibility of ambitious provisions in the final text.
With the rules of procedure dominating earlier meetings, a first draft of the treaty is finally due to be discussed at the next meeting. The draft will consider submissions made by members and observers on a range of technical question – we are currently preparing our submission.
Global challenges must be met with global solutions
Legally binding international laws and measures on plastic pollution could help build a more sustainable framework, guiding how we use plastics in our societies by maximising the benefits and minimising the negative effects.
ECOS is advocating for a treaty that enables governments around the world to implement regulatory frameworks that bring down plastic pollution, where possible close to zero. Problematic and avoidable plastic products should not be used. Design for reuse and recycling should be the norm. And the microplastics pollution crisis must be tackled.
Plastic products are traded internationally, and plastic pollution, when in the marine environment or airborne microplastics, knows no national boundaries. A full lifecycle approach is needed. We need to address plastic production and the manufacturing of products, keep better quality plastics circulating in the economy for longer, and deal with plastic products appropriately when they become waste. Preventing littering and cleaning up what has already leaked into the environment will also be an important undertaking.
We need a plastic treaty underpinned by standards that protect the environment
International standards for sustainable production and consumption, product design, and waste management (including plastic circularity) could play a big role in the treaty – so we must get them right. Plastic-producing industries, such as chemicals, tyres, textiles, etc., operate in global markets, often dominated by global industrial players applying global standards. It is essential that such standards are developed with the involvement of all stakeholders affected by them, including civil society.
An ambitious plastics treaty underpinned by standards that protect the environment could:
- Reduce the use of certain problematic polymers and substances.
- Ban avoidable plastic products (similar to the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive).
- Introduce measures to reduce microplastics (ban of intentionally added and mitigation of unintentionally added).
- Unlock more money for waste management infrastructure.
- Reduce littering.
- Clean up existing plastic pollution.
Given that treaty negotiations are in their infancy, a lot must still be determined – with many potential opportunities and pitfalls ahead. ECOS will be there every step of the way.
Get involved!
ECOS members that want to cooperate with us on this topic can do so. We are currently preparing our feedback on how we want the treaty to look ahead of the next meeting in November. To contribute to our submission please reach out to Mathias Falkenberg (mathias.falkenberg@ecostandard.org).
