Despite the daunting challenges and fundamental disagreements, nations are making a renewed push at a summit in Geneva to forge the first international treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution has emerged as a global crisis, with waste projected to increase by 50% by 2040, reaching up to 30 million tons per year. This environmental menace infiltrates our bodies through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, posing significant health and ecological risks.
In response to this growing threat, delegates from around the world have gathered in Geneva for a critical 10-day negotiations session aimed at developing the first international treaty to tackle plastic pollution. These delegates have been striving toward this goal since 2022, with the hope of finalizing the agreement in South Korea last year. However, negotiations reached a stalemate over whether the treaty should include measures to limit plastic production.
This impasse remains the central issue in Geneva as discussions continue. Many powerful oil-producing countries argue against production caps, suggesting instead that the focus should be on curbing pollution without restricting production. Plastic, which is predominantly made from fossil fuels produced by these countries, is a major point of contention. These nations advocate for enhanced recycling, redesigning, and reusing of plastics as alternative solutions to reduce pollution.
Conversely, numerous other countries and some major corporations believe that simply improving recycling processes will not suffice. They assert that the treaty must incorporate production limits to effectively address the crisis.
The path to reaching a consensus in Geneva is fraught with challenges. The International Persistent Organic Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) has documented over 300 points of contention within the draft treaty text. While some of these are minor, issues like the debate over plastic production are crucial and could determine the treaty’s success or failure.
For any proposal to be adopted in the treaty, it requires unanimous agreement from all participating nations. This consensus-building process underlines the Herculean effort required to achieve a comprehensive agreement.
Sivendra Michael, lead negotiator for Fiji, emphasizes the urgency of the situation, highlighting that this may be the final significant opportunity to bring an end to plastic pollution. Delegates in Geneva are joined by Indigenous leaders and residents from communities severely impacted by plastic pollution, all of whom have traveled significant distances to share their concerns and urge action.
Frankie Orona, the executive director of the Texas-based Society of Native Nations, is a consistent presence at these negotiations. He is there to represent the voices of impacted communities and advocate on behalf of the environment, underscoring the importance of addressing this crisis for nature and humanity alike.
The Geneva summit represents a critical juncture in the global effort to combat plastic pollution. As discussions continue, the hope is that nations will come together to forge a treaty that effectively addresses both the causes and consequences of this environmental challenge.
Source: Original article