Activists Push for Ambitious Global Plastics Treaty at Penultimate Negotiations in Ottawa

Activists displayed a prop depicting a water tap with cascading plastic bottles near the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, during the penultimate negotiations for the first-ever global plastics treaty. Frontline leaders are pushing for a treaty that prioritizes public health, human rights, and the environment.

The negotiations, led by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, made progress on the treaty text, but there were sharp disagreements, particularly around the idea of limiting plastic production. Plastic-producing countries, companies, and oil and gas exporters strongly objected to this proposal.

Delegates from affected communities, such as Louisiana and Texas residents living near petrochemical plants, and Indigenous Peoples Caucus members, who say microplastics are contaminating their food supply, are calling for their voices to be heard and for the treaty to protect them from plastic pollution.

The negotiations focused on issues such as chemicals of concern in plastic products, product design, and financing the implementation of the treaty. While countries shared a common vision to move forward, more political will is needed to address the escalating plastic production.

Why this matters: The global plastics treaty has the potential to be a landmark agreement in tackling the growing crisis of plastic pollution worldwide. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for public health, the environment, and the rights of communities disproportionately impacted by plastic manufacturing and waste.

The final meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution is scheduled for later in 2024 in South Korea. Activists and experts are calling for an equitable treaty that centers human health and environmental justice, including Indigenous knowledge and consent. As Jill Hunkler, an activist from Ohio, stated, "People coming together can make a difference" in the fight against the expansion of the petrochemical industry and plastic pollution.

Key Takeaways

• Activists push for global plastics treaty prioritizing public health, rights, environment.
• Negotiations face sharp disagreements over limiting plastic production by industry.
• Affected communities and Indigenous groups demand voices heard, treaty protection.
• Treaty focuses on chemicals, product design, financing to address plastic crisis.
• Activists call for equitable treaty centered on health, justice, Indigenous knowledge.