- The urgency of the matter has brought together representatives from over 170 nations in Nairobi for crucial negotiations to formulate concrete measures.
- Alarmingly, about two-thirds of plastic waste is discarded, causing significant harm to both the environment and the delicate balance of the food chain.
- The ultimate goal is to shape a comprehensive and effective response to the global challenge of plastic pollution.
In a decisive call for global environmental action, President William Ruto has urged a significant reduction in plastic production and circulation, underscoring the imminent threats posed to both the environment and humanity globally.
Addressing the Third Session of the Inter-Governmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) on Ending Plastic Pollution in Nairobi on November 13, President Ruto emphasized the pivotal role of combating plastic pollution in addressing the broader challenge of climate change.
“Dealing with plastic pollution is central to making progress on cliamt change. Plastics could account for up to 19% of greenhouse gas emissions allowed under 1.5°C by 2040,” stated Ruto.
He called upon investors, multinational corporations and technology companies to join hands and implement strategies towards reducing their plastic waste.
It is worth noting that more than 99% of plastic is manufactured from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. That is why the fossil fuel and plastic industries are strongly intertwined.
The urgency of the matter has brought together representatives from over 170 nations in Nairobi for crucial negotiations to formulate concrete measures.
This international gathering marks a significant step toward creating a binding worldwide treaty to combat plastic pollution, reflecting a collective commitment to safeguarding the planet and fostering sustainable practices.
As the negotiations unfold, the global community anticipates impactful outcomes to address one of our time’s most pressing environmental issues.
The committee is meeting at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi, from November 13 to 19.
Worldwide plastic pollution emergency
The critical nature of this initiative is highlighted by the current worldwide plastic pollution emergency, marked by the annual production of roughly 430 million tonnes of plastic.
According to Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, the Executive Secretary of the INC Secretariat, the devastating impact of plastic pollution on ecosystems, climate, the economy, and human health, costs the planet between $300 and $600 billion per year.
“Organizers are demanding a transition from the “throw-away economy” to a “re-use economy”,” said the Executive Secretary.
Further, she noted that plastics production is expected to double in the next 20 years if no action is taken.
Alarmingly, about two-thirds of plastic waste is discarded, causing significant harm to both the environment and the delicate balance of the food chain.
For the international gathering that ends on November 19, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) focus will center on the ‘zero draft’ of an internationally binding instrument to tackle plastic pollution.
‘Zero draft’ binding instrument
The “zero draft” refers to the preliminary version or initial proposal of an international agreement or treaty.
Released earlier this year, this draft sets the stage for crucial discussions during the ongoing gathering, aiming to shape a comprehensive response to the plastic crisis.
According to the President, the zero draft serves as a rallying call for Global Collective Action for our planet through various interventions such as the reduction of plastics produced, elimination of problematic and short-lived plastics, investment in solid waste management policies and a just transition by integrating workers, especially in the informal settings, to ensure that no one is left behind in the shift from a linear to a circular model of plastic life cycle management.
“The ambition of the zero-draft is a welcome signal that the world is one step closer to ending plastic pollution, one of the biggest contributors to the Triple Planetary Crises. I commend the committee for your inclusive approach and incorporating the views of diverse stakeholders. This draft is a product of true environmental multi-literalism,” acknowledged the President.
In the context of the ongoing discussions on plastic pollution, the zero draft of the international report outlines the foundational elements and proposed measures that could be included in the final legally binding instrument addressing plastic pollution.
The draft serves as the starting point for negotiations and provides a basis for representatives from different nations to deliberate and collaborate in refining the document during international sessions, such as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) meetings.
The ultimate goal is to shape a comprehensive and effective response to the global challenge of plastic pollution.
Kenya’s Plastic Ban Evolution
Kenya affirmed her commitment to ending plastic pollution by banning the manufacture and use of polythene bags in 2017.
This was followed closely by the ban of single-use plastic in protected areas such as forests and national parks.
In 2022, the Sustainable Waste Management Act was enacted to subject all plastic products to extended producer responsibility.
However, the president recognized that this was not enough and more needed to be done to ensure the full elimination of plastic pollution.
“Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, a daughter of our own soil, taught us the principle of the hummingbird, which is essentially beginning to do the work bit by bit until it is done,” referenced President Ruto.
Global call for action
The urgency of these negotiations is evident as the international community endeavors to conclude discussions by the close of 2024, signaling a collective commitment to address the pressing global challenge of plastic pollution.
Gustavo Meza-Cuadra Velasquez from Peru and the chair of the forum’s INC, warned that plastic pollution posed a direct threat to our environment, human health, and the delicate balance of our planet.
“We have the collective power to change this trajectory. Negotiators have met twice already but the November 13-19 talks are the first to consider a draft text of the treaty published in September and the policy options it contains,” he noted.
Even though the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) says less than 10 percent of plastic waste is recycled, at least 14 million metric tonnes of it makes its way into the world’s oceans, posing a threat to marine life and biodiversity in general.
In a report produced earlier this year by UNEP, plastic is predominantly produced from oil and gas, both of which are fossil fuels; the more plastic we make, the more fossil fuel is required, the more we intensify the climate crisis.
Also, plastic products create greenhouse gas emissions across their whole lifecycle.
Global action to shift to a circular economy can reduce the volume of plastics entering oceans by over 80% by 2040; reduce virgin plastic production by 55%; save governments US$70 billion by 2040; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% and create 700,000 additional jobs.
Pamela Miller, co-chair of the International Pollutants Elimination Network, recognized that the vast majority of countries are eager to advance the negotiations to get the job done, but more action needs to be taken.
“On the other hand, a small group of like-minded countries of mainly major fossil fuel, petrochemical and plastic exporters like Saudi Arabia and Russia are actively attempting to take us backwards,” said Miller.
More than 2,000 delegates are attending the meeting, including representatives from the oil and gas industry, environmental organizations and civil society groups.
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In the five-meeting series, the negotiations are due to continue in April 2024 in Canada, concluding in South Korea at the end of 2024.
