Global Negotiators Meet in Canada to Forge Key Treaty on Plastic Pollution

Ottawa, Canada – Delegates from around the world have convened in Ottawa, Canada, for a critical weeklong conference aimed at addressing the escalating global crisis of plastic pollution.

This fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) until April 29th seeks to finalize a treaty that will have significant implications for plastic production and disposal worldwide.

Thousands of miles from Ottawa, in Nairobi, Kenya, the urgency of these negotiations is palpable at the Pura Terra recycling plant. Workers at the plant are overwhelmed daily by the volume of plastic waste, illustrating the broader challenges faced globally.

"Being the only company in the area, we realize we cannot sort out all the plastics that are coming in. So from the meeting that is happening in Canada, we are expecting policies that will help us recycle 100% of the plastics produced," stated a representative from Pura Terra.

In March 2022, 175 nations agreed to draft the first legally-binding treaty on plastic pollution by the end of 2024. The current negotiations in Ottawa are crucial as they aim to streamline the draft and define its scope.

Key decisions include whether the treaty will focus on human health and the environment, limit actual plastic production, or restrict certain chemicals used in plastic manufacturing.

Luis Vayas Valdivieso, chair of the INC, emphasized the high stakes: "Our collective responsibility and duty in this INC process is to deliver a treaty that reflects the urgency of ending the plastic pollution crisis and that meets the expectations of citizens in all of our countries calling for a change."

The discussions feature a divide in perspectives. A "high ambition coalition" of countries advocates for stringent measures including cutting down on plastic production and the use of harmful chemicals.

Conversely, some plastic-producing nations and oil and gas exporters favor a treaty with a more limited scope, focusing primarily on plastic waste management and enhanced recycling efforts.

Azarius Karanja, an environmental leader, expressed the priorities for nations in the Global South, which often bear the brunt of pollution challenges.

"As Africans, our expectations from INC-4 are for concerted actions across the plastics value chain. It's a global issue, and we hope that players from around the world will unite to adequately address plastic use," Karanja said.

He also highlighted the need for eliminating harmful chemicals involved in plastic production, pushing for a shift towards more sustainable practices.

As the conference progresses, the outcomes will significantly influence global strategies to combat plastic pollution, with an urgent call for collaborative efforts to mitigate environmental impacts.

The potential treaty stands as a beacon of hope for more sustainable management of plastics, aligning with global environmental goals and public health priorities.