With the help of EU diplomacy, which has helped ensure the support of the world community, the United Nations Environment Council (UNEA), meeting in Nairobi, agreed to start negotiations on a legally binding global treaty to reduce and ultimately eliminate plastic pollution. In all environments.
“It is encouraging to see the world community come together in this time of crisis,” said the executive vice-president of the European Commission for the European Green Agreement. France Timmermans “Ever since the European Plastics Strategy was introduced in 2018, the European Union has been the driving force behind the fight against plastic pollution. We are committed to pushing for ambitious global action, as we all need to engage in the fight against climate and biodiversity, “he added.
Speaking from Nairobi, the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginis syncevicius The agreement is welcome. “Currently, about 11 million tonnes of plastics enter the sea every year and this amount will triple in the next 20 years without effective international response. Thus I am glad that with EU input the world community today has moved forward in the fight against plastic pollution. We will be actively involved in negotiating a legally binding agreement that covers all stages of a plastic’s life cycle, from product design to waste, “said SyncVicius.
According to the commission, future agreements will aim to close gaps that do not address existing initiatives and agreements, especially in the design and production phase of the plastic life cycle. All stakeholders should be brought together to achieve the overall goal of eliminating plastic leaks in the environment.
The EU has made significant efforts in outreach activities, working with partners and building support for a legally binding global agreement on plastics. The EU has played a key role in uniting the countries that are moving towards today’s decision in Nairobi.
As outlined in the European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Union emphasized the need for a circular, life-cycle approach for plastics as the basis for a new legally binding global treaty. The solution is plastic resistance, proper design and production, and their resource-efficient use, followed by noise management when it becomes waste. Synecavicius supported this method in Nairobi as a worldwide priority.
The EU and its member states believe that a global instrument should promote action at the national, regional and global levels and in particular enable countries to adopt implementation policies in national specific situations, while implementing a circular approach in the field of plastics, the EU Commission said. .
Future agreements could further identify standards as well as the need for measurable targets and strengthen monitoring of plastic pollution, including marine plastic pollution, and assess their impact on all environmental components. This will enable coordination of measures at both national and regional specific levels.
The decision mandates the convening of the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee in the second semester of 2022 and establishes the ambition to conclude the negotiations by 2024. The EU will continue to work towards a speedy conclusion of negotiations with its allies and other partners. .
UNEA-5 President and Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment Dr. Aspen Birth Aid It should be noted that against the backdrop of geopolitical instability, the UN Environment Council has shown its best multilateral cooperation. “Plastic pollution has become an epidemic. With today’s resolution, we are officially on the path to healing, “he said.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen The agreement marks the planet’s victory over single-use plastics. It is the most important environmental multilateral agreement since the Paris Agreement. It’s an insurance policy for this generation and the future, so they can live with plastic and not be destroyed by it, “he said. “Let it be clear that INC’s order does not give any stakeholder a two-year reprieve. In parallel with negotiations on an international binding agreement, UNEP will work with any interested government and business across the value chain to move away from single-use plastics, as well as to consolidate private funding and remove barriers to investment in research and work in a new way. Round economy, “Andersen added.
Japan’s environment minister Suyoshi Yamaguchi, The resolution will clearly lead the world to a future where there will be no plastic pollution, including the marine environment. “United, we can make it happen. As we begin to discuss a better future without plastic pollution, let’s move on, “said Yamaguchi, whose draft resolution contributed to the final resolution.
Peru’s environment minister Modesto MontoyaThe draft resolution, proposed with the Rwandan government, contributed to the final resolution, Peru will announce a new agreement that prevents and reduces plastic pollution, promotes a circular economy and addresses the full life cycle of plastics.
Rwanda Environment Minister Jean d’Arc Muzawamaria Note that the world has worked together against plastic pollution – a serious threat to the planet. “International partnerships will be important in tackling a problem that affects all of us, and the progress that has been made at UNEA reflects this spirit of cooperation,” he said. Create a legally binding agreement as a framework for setting, monitoring, investing and knowledge transfer ”.
