Reports

EIA has identified 15 populations of cetaceans (the collective term for whales, dolphins and porpoises) that are threatened due to bycatch in European waters – especially among harbour porpoises, with an estimated 35,000 deaths each year, mainly in static fishing nets. The level of bycatch in European waters is so serious that several populations of cetaceans are endangered and face potential extinction despite binding legal requirements to adequately protect them.

To deliver on the UNEA 5/14 mandate to promote sustainable production of plastics, which is supposed to be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic, negotiators will need to agree on a way forward. This briefing presents the justifications for addressing production and outlines the framework for implementation.

The story of textile waste is not just about discarded clothes – it’s about a global system that shifts the burden of pollution from rich nations to poorer ones under the guise of charity and recycling.

Despite the clear urgency to phase out fossil fuels, countries have repeatedly failed to agree on timelines and transition plans to reduce their dependence. The focus remains on curtailing smokestack and tailpipe emissions rather than reducing supply, while industry-backed terms such as “unabated” fossil fuels and “inefficient” subsidies leave the door open for continued fossil fuel production.

Establishing a clear vision for product design is essential to mitigate plastic pollution and reduce toxic exposure in line with resource efficiency and circular economy principles and the waste hierarchy. This briefing presents the benefits of a common global approach to product design and considerations for implementation within the treaty.

This briefing looks at how other MEAs have built in flexibility mechanisms, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment.