Ocean reports

Initial Considerations for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the UNEA Resolution 5/14 to End Plastic Pollution: Towards a Legally Binding Global Instrument.

A global treaty (i.e. convention) on plastics will require financial resources to achieve its objectives, and many models exist in other multilateral environmental agreements from which lessons can be taken.

The toxic pollution resulting from rampant overproduction of virgin plastics and their lifecycles is irreversible, directly undermines our health, drives biodiversity loss, exacerbates climate change, and risks generating large-scale harmful environmental changes.

As we approach UNEA 5.2, there are two draft resolutions (decisions) on plastic pollution currently tabled for discussion at UNEA 5.2 in 2022 – one from Rwanda/Peru, and another from Japan. This document provides a textual comparison of the two draft resolutions.

The expected expansion of plastic production will emit greenhouse gases (GHG) equivalent to an estimated 56 Gt CO2e between 2015-50, representing 10-13 per cent of the entire remaining carbon budget. Addressing plastic production is therefore a climate priority and the adoption of a new global plastics treaty which promotes a circular economy for plastics and controls plastic production is a key climate strategy.

Until the mid-1950s, plastics were precious commodities that were used and treated carefully. But in just 65 years, plastic production has increased by 18,300 per cent – fuelling a relentless convenience lifestyle that produces enormous and unnecessary quantities of waste.