Latest news with #NareshPalGangwar
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Global divide widens over plastic cuts as treaty talks hit deadlock
The lack of a clear definition of plastics, the continued use of toxic chemicals, and disagreements over cutting plastic production have brought global treaty negotiations to a to the limited time left to finalise the talks and reach consensus, Vayas Valdivieso, chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), said, 'It builds on those areas where convergence exists.'From August 5 to 14, around 190 countries gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, to negotiate the first-ever treaty aimed at ending plastic happened in Geneva? On the final day, negotiators cut about 1,500 brackets from the draft text but also removed several key proposals backed by over 100 nations. These include a ban on problematic plastics, restrictions on hazardous chemicals, and measures to curb virgin plastic provisions—such as recognising Indigenous knowledge, addressing human health impacts, and ensuring a just transition—were also like-minded countries (LMCs) hailed the draft as a 'milestone,' the coalition of 100 nations pushing for plastic production cuts called it 'imbalanced.' They wanted the treaty to address the entire life cycle of plastics, including manufacturing, banning toxic chemicals, and listing products for phase-out. India, siding with LMCs, called for a balanced approach that would not hinder trade. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and head of India's delegation, said:'We have some serious concerns about the text proposed by you, as we see many fundamental elements (scope) missing from the text. Having said this, we consider this as a good enough starting point to further our work We also urge other member states to have trust in your leadership and express their concern during the consultation process.'If current trends continue, plastic production is set to triple by 2060. Focusing solely on managing plastic waste, without cutting production, will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions—plastics already account for 3.4% of global addressing the harmful health impacts of plastic manufacturing, the treaty risks going in circles, while plastics continue to accumulate in oceans, air, land, and even human bloodstreams.- EndsMust Watch
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Global Plastics Treaty: India backs 'weak' plastic treaty draft with no cap on production, toxic chemicals
GENEVA: On the eve of the penultimate day of negotiations for a legally binding global plastics treaty, talks are in deadlock — and India has thrown its weight behind the petrochemical-producing Like-Minded Countries (LMC), accepting a weakened draft text that drops production caps and chemical controls as merely a 'starting point' for talks. 'We have some serious concerns on the text proposed by you, as we see many fundamental elements (scope) missing from the text,' said Naresh Pal Gangwar, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and head of India's delegation. 'Having said this, we consider this as a good enough starting point to further our work… We also urge other member states to have trust in your leadership and express their concern during the consultation process.' The new draft, released by Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso, just ahead of the scheduled plenary on Wednesday evening, retains voluntary measures on product redesign, recycling, and waste management but deletes a previous article on production limits and omits all reference to chemicals of concern. The only nod to production appears in the preamble — a symbolic gesture far from the binding commitments sought by more than 100 countries. India's alignment with the LMC, led by Kuwait and including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Malaysia, places it firmly in the camp resisting upstream measures that target the root cause of plastic pollution — the sheer volume of plastic being produced. The bloc has consistently opposed any global phase-out list, production caps, or trade restrictions on plastic products. The EU and its 27 member states blasted the draft, saying it 'doesn't meet the minimum requirements and falls short of UNEA 5/14,' and called for reinstating strong, binding measures to curb virgin plastic output. Norway, co-chair of the High Ambition Coalition, said the text was 'not acceptable as it stands.' Colombia outright rejected it as 'imbalanced,' drawing applause from observers and high-ambition delegations.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Centre suggests state to try ‘plastic-for-coupon' scheme
Patna: Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change on Friday suggested that Bihar explore a 'plastic-for-coupon or cash' initiative, drawing inspiration from a successful model implemented in Goa. The proposal was made by Tanmay Kumar, secretary of the ministry, while addressing the seminar on 'Ending plastic pollution: The road ahead', organised by the state's department of environment, forest and climate change. He proposed that the initiative could be executed through urban local bodies and commended the state's achievements under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which saw 4.42 crore saplings planted, exceeding the target by 42 lakh. Naresh Pal Gangwar, additional secretary of the ministry, highlighted the elimination of single-use plastics and detailed how plastic pollution is adversely affecting health. "The central govt has already banned those plastic products for which viable alternatives exist," he said, urging states to strengthen their systems through sustained collaborative efforts. In her address during the inaugural session, Harjot Kaur Bamhrah, additional chief secretary of state environment, forest and climate change department raised concerns over the environmental damage caused by single-use plastic. She said, "The state govt has taken decisive steps, including restrictions on the manufacture, storage, import, transport, sale and use of single-use plastics where alternatives are available. " She also stressed the need to eliminate non-essential and non-biodegradable plastics and affirmed the state's continued cooperation with the Centre on plastic management. Technical sessions during the seminar included presentations on 'Plastic waste management in urban local bodies in Bihar" by the department of urban development and housing, "Legal provisions for the elimination of single-use plastic" by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board and "Methods, challenges and opportunities adopted by Patna Municipal Corporation for plastic waste management." In his welcome address, Prabhat Kumar Gupta, principal chief conservator of forests (HoFF), highlighted the challenges posed by single-use plastic and the urgent need for collaborative action from all sectors. D K Shukla, chairman of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board, elaborated on the grave environmental consequences of plastic waste. He said establishing user responsibility was essential for its effective management. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
