Dalhousie University professor Tony Walker is set to virtually engage with the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Thursday. The committee is currently in its sixth round of discussions regarding an international treaty aimed at addressing plastic pollution. The ongoing session, which began on Tuesday and is slated to continue until August 14, involves representatives from 175 countries, including Canada.
Walker acknowledges the progress Canada has made in combatting plastic pollution but emphasizes the need for more significant efforts both nationally and globally. He expresses concerns about potential obstacles to reaching a consensus, particularly citing countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. Walker highlights the interconnectedness of economies worldwide, stressing the importance of collaboration despite individual national actions.
The INC negotiating team from Canada has been actively consulting with experts like Walker before and after each meeting. Originally, the committee aimed to finalize an agreement in Busan, South Korea, by December 2024. However, disagreements among countries led to a lack of consensus.
Chair of the negotiating committee, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, acknowledges the universal aversion to plastic pollution while lamenting the lack of effective strategies to combat it. Experts emphasize the pressing need for immediate action, citing growing awareness of the environmental and health impacts of plastics, particularly microplastics.
As discussions continue, various stakeholders, including Greenpeace, advocate for significant reductions in plastic production. The Lancet Countdown report underscores the urgency, revealing that only a fraction of created plastic has been recycled, with a substantial amount polluting the planet.
Canada, part of the High Ambition Coalition aiming to end plastic pollution by 2040, maintains a strong stance on the issue. Industry representatives, such as Christa Seaman of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, are actively engaged in negotiations, promoting circularity in plastic use and emphasizing the need for balance between environmental protection and societal benefits.
The negotiations also delve into waste management, extended producer responsibility, and product design. Seaman emphasizes the importance of achieving consensus and avoiding perfectionism that may hinder progress. The goal is to align all nations towards a common approach to address plastic pollution comprehensively.
Tim Rodgers, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia, stresses the significance of addressing gaps in global plastic management, particularly in chemical measurement and regulation. He advocates for transparency throughout the plastic lifecycle, emphasizing the necessity of comprehensive solutions beyond waste management.