Fatshimetrie is actively monitoring the latest environmental developments, and one significant event this week was an international meeting in Ottawa, Canada, focused on crafting a treaty to address the escalating issue of plastic pollution worldwide.
While delegates and observers convene at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada, efforts to manage the mounting plastic waste in Nairobi, Kenya, continue. Workers at the Pura Terra recycling plant in Nairobi are diligently working to address plastic pollution but are grappling with limited capacity to sort the increasing influx of plastics. They eagerly anticipate the policies emerging from the Canadian meeting that could pave the way for achieving 100% plastic recycling.
Kenya currently generates 2,000 tonnes of waste daily, with projections estimating an annual output of approximately 5.5 million tonnes of waste by 2030.
In March 2022, 175 nations agreed to establish the first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including oceanic pollution, by the conclusion of 2024.
The ongoing week-long meeting in Canada marks the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). The committee’s president underscores the critical nature of the issue, emphasizing the need for a treaty that reflects the pressing need to address the plastic pollution crisis and meets the expectations of citizens worldwide demanding change.
Participants in Ottawa are tasked with streamlining the existing draft treaty and determining its focus, such as emphasizing human health and the environment, restricting plastic production, and regulating chemicals used in plastic manufacturing. Some countries are forming a “high ambition coalition” advocating for more robust measures like chemical restrictions and limitations on oil and gas exports.
On the contrary, other voices favor a treaty centered on plastic waste management and recycling, particularly championed by plastics, oil, and gas-producing nations.
Azarius Karanja, an environmental advocate, stresses the importance of exploring alternative solutions such as reuse and refill. He also highlights that countries in the Global South, including African nations, bear the brunt of the challenges posed by plastics.
As part of combating plastic pollution, many Ottawa delegates are pushing for the elimination of certain chemicals. Azarius Karanja aligns with this stance, advocating for the removal of harmful chemicals used in plastic production in favor of eco-friendly alternatives.
Projections from the United Nations Environment Program indicate that global primary plastic production could skyrocket to 1,100 million tonnes by 2050 if current growth trends persist.
From this data and ongoing discussions, it is evident that reaching a global consensus on managing plastic pollution is crucial for the planet’s future. Decisions made during these international forums will not only shape global environmental policies but also directly impact ecosystems and communities’ health. It is therefore imperative for all stakeholders involved in these negotiations to collaborate and devise lasting, effective solutions to tackle this pressing challenge.
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