Many countries disappointed over plastics treaty draft, which omits production curbs

The Hindu

2 days ago

On the penultimate day of countries being expected to finalise a treaty on plastic pollution, a majority of countries expressed their disappointment with a draft agreement, which does away with a key demand of countries agreeing to limit the production of plastics.
This version however favours a minority block, which includes several Arab states and India, that has consistently advocated for addressing plastic pollution without such cuts on production.
'This represents my best attempts to consolidate various positions that have been expressed through various delegations and groups,' said Chair of proceedings Luis Vayas Valdivieso. 'This is however still a proposal that can be discussed.'
Kuwait has made a statement that is largely approving of the text. Naresh Gangwar, who led the Indian delegation said, 'We support the statement made by Kuwait. While there are some improvements that we can suggest we are happy to discuss this.'
'The proposed draft text is entirely unacceptable and we cannot use it as a basis for negotiations,' said Sebastian Rodriguez, the delegate from Colombia who was the first to speak but whose statement received resounding applause. 'Our red lines and that of the majority of the members of this hall have been spat upon. This is not simply about closing a treaty at any cost but about closing a wound that has hurt our oceans and our livelihood. We need a new text. This is something that we cannot work with,' said Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, the delegate from Panama. About 80 member states expressed their disapproval on these lines.
'This text is a milestone that demands some reflection. However there are points that we need some balance between various articles in the text,' said Abdulrahman Al Gwaiz, the delegate from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His remarks invited a measure of applause from petrochemical countries and from the members of the Indian delegation.
'Life-cycle of plastics not addressed'
Independent observers expressed disappointment. 'The Chair's text that dropped today in advance of the plenary is disappointing. The text does not fulfil the mandate of resolution 5/14 as it does not address the full life-cycle of plastics. Chemicals of Concern also does not find place in the text. There is also no attempt made to reduce plastic dependency through mandating reuse and refill systems. This text is lopsided and will do nothing, even at the level of downstream waste management to address plastic pollution. There will be serious implications on global economy, environment, climate and health,' said Swathi Seshadri, petrochemicals specialist, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
'The new Chair's text makes a mockery of a three-year-long consultative process that showed broad support for an ambitious plastics treaty that addresses the full life-cycle of plastics, including production. While there are token references to human rights, and human health, the provisions that follow undermine any and all measures that follow. This is a treaty that all but ensures that nothing will change. It gives in to petrostate and industry demands with weak, voluntary measures that guarantee we continue to produce plastic at increasing levels... It will be very difficult to come back from this, and we encourage member states to reject the text,' said David Azoulay, Centre for International Environmental Law.