Note: This page is updated daily. The latest updates are at the top, scroll down to go back in time.
The fourth of five events will be held in Ottawa from April 23 to 29. United Nations negotiations on the Global Plastics Convention (INC-4). The first three rounds were chaotic, dominated by Big Plastic, who sought to undermine the treaty's ambitions. The clock is ticking, but Canada, as host, has an opportunity to focus on what is important to get negotiations on track and secure an impactful treaty. . Cutting plastic production.You can read more about the plastic crisis here.
We will be broadcasting the INC-4 negotiations live, so please join us. World leaders must make critical decisions: prioritize people and the planet, or succumb to the plastic wave. Get real-time updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes glimpses. This live update page is your window to the action-packed arena. ⤵️
April 30th: Negotiations ended
📄 Policy corner: Important points
- Late on Monday night, the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) for the Global Plastics Treaty concluded that, despite strong support from governments, the intersessional work continued to focus on plastic production and polymer production. The meeting ended because governments could not agree on the inclusion of the reference. States, scientists and civil society organizations.
- While Canada supported There was an in-principle proposal from Rwanda to add production cuts to the closing session work, but that country and various other high-ambition coalition governments did not pursue it during the meeting. Final plenary sessionyields a compromised result.
Sarah King, head of plastics and oceans at Greenpeace Canada and a member of the Greenpeace delegation at INC-4, said:
“As host country, Canada was unable to ensure that INC-4 concluded a clear path towards a global plastics treaty that ends plastic pollution at the point of origin, at the point of production. The agreement prioritizes the interests of the industry and does not reflect the views of Minister Guilbeault's government. Involved publicly, raising concerns about Canada's readiness to compromise on the ambitions needed to solve the plastics crisis. Looking ahead to her INC-5 in South Korea, the lesson Canada has learned should be to stand shoulder to shoulder with countries with high ambitions that champion strong measures. the public wantsscientists call out, And the world desperately needs it. ”
April 29: Last day of negotiations
📄 Policy corner: Important points
- Today is the last day of negotiations, but the ambition needed to secure a strong global plastics treaty to be drafted before the next round of negotiations is not in sight.
- It is critical for host country Canada to demonstrate new leadership and help secure an ambitious treaty that includes a cap on plastic production.
Sarah King, Greenpeace Canada Ocean Plastics Officer, provides an update on the final day of INC-4 negotiations.
Advocates and other groups urged Canada to be a leader in securing an ambitious treaty that includes reducing plastic production.
In parallel with the INC-4 negotiations, the French Ministry of Environment and Transition announced The G7 (a group of seven countries including hosts Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US) is expected to work to reduce plastic production as a way to tackle plastic pollution.
April 28: 6th day of negotiations
📄 Policy corner: Important points
- The 6th day was a day for subgroup discussions and a general meeting.
- The plenary session focused on discussing what will happen between the current round of negotiations (INC-4) and the next round of negotiations (INC-5).
- Intersessional work (smaller meetings leading up to the full formal plenary session) was primarily on funding mechanisms and chemicals of concern.
- Importantly, we need clear leadership and more ambition to put a cap on plastic production.
Recognizing the need to promote reductions in plastic production, Greenpeace Canada activists dropped banners outside the show center to send a clear message to attendees.
April 27: 5th day of negotiations
📄 Policy corner: Important points
- The participants mainly focused on refining the text of the treaty.
- The subgroup moved to line-by-line negotiations on #PrimaryPlasticsPolymers.
- We need leaders to continue to resist efforts by industry and states to weaken ambition and block plastic production cuts.
We need to keep the pressure on Canada. Because, as host countries, we need to show clear leadership on an ambitious treaty.
April 26: 4th day of negotiations
📄 Policy corner: Important points
- Negotiations are more than halfway through and some progress has been made.
- For the first time, ambitious countries have put some proposals on the table to reduce plastic production.
- We need leaders to step up and push back against the fossil fuel industry, which is trying to block cuts in plastic production.
Graham Forbes, Head of the Greenpeace International Delegation to the International Plastics Convention, provides an update on the INC-4 negotiations, which are at their halfway point.
As for Canada's position in these negotiations, Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault is imposing strict limits on plastic production, despite having just two days ago affirmed the need to reduce plastic production in preparation for the Global Plastics Treaty. suggests that the issue may be too complex and open to debate. You can read this summary and commentary by Sarah King, Greenpeace Canada Delegation Member to the Global Plastics Convention, here.
You can read Greenpeace Canada's response to these statements here.
At that night's plenary session (the grand meeting of all participants in the INC-4 negotiations), Janelle Namabin, councilor of the Amjiunan First Nation, gave a powerful speech, urging the government to ensure stricter regulations and He called for production to be cut and for the rights of indigenous peoples to be protected. . Janel emphasized the need to hold companies accountable for the harm they cause to people, communities and the environment, as well as the importance of defending the rights of indigenous peoples in the context of treaties.Earlier this week, as negotiations were underway, Amziunan declared a state of emergency This is due to high levels of benzene from the Ineos Styrolution factory, which has been leaking carcinogenic benzene into the local community for years. Check out the speech here⤵️
April 25: 3rd day of negotiations
Negotiations are progressing smoothly. Greenpeace Canada activists deliver the 'Global Plastics Factory' To remind participants that Big Plastic is the real bad guy and the critical need to include plastic production reduction in the Global Plastics Treaty:
One activist said, arrested during this peaceful protest.
April 24: Second day of negotiations
📄 Policy corner: Important points
- Negotiations are progressing, but not fast enough.
- Governments have begun to scrutinize its contents, but the jury is still out on whether ambitious countries will work to ensure strong measures remain in the draft.
Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault today stressed the need to include limits on plastic production in the global treaty to end plastic waste, saying reductions are critical to preventing environmental damage.
In the morning, spokespeople from the Amjiunan First Nation, the Indigenous Association, and Keepers of the Water held a press conference to highlight the impact of plastic pollution on frontline Indigenous communities.
April 23: First day of negotiations
📄 Policy corner: Important points
- Negotiations got off to a good start, with Member States quickly agreeing to this week's action plan outlined by the INC-4 Chair.
- Participants are now working in full force to consider in detail the various sections of the Convention and the proposed measures. The real work begins with sorting out what stays and what goes.
Let's pay attention to future developments! 🌍✨
Meanwhile, the Scientific Union, which calls for an effective treaty, compelling caseunderlined the urgency of prioritizing production and extraction reductions for the betterment of humanity.
Greenpeace International, including members of the Greenpeace Canada delegation, also held a press conference alongside the Descendants Project, highlighting Greenpeace's demands for a strong treaty to reduce plastic production and hopes for important negotiations this week. emphasized.
April 22: Opening session
During the opening session of the INC-4 negotiations, Minister Guilbeault said: Introducing the federal plastics registration system. This registry aims to increase transparency across the plastics industry. The aim is to provide information to guide governments as they develop reduction targets for overall plastic production and work to eliminate problematic polymers, chemicals and products.You can read our reaction to this here.
April 21st: Earth Day
On Earth Day, two days before the start of negotiations, civil society organizations, indigenous and frontline communities, allies and supporters from around the world staged a mass mobilization in Ottawa, and world leaders met ahead of INC-4. It reminded them that all eyes were on them. negotiation:
A few days ago #PlasticConvention talk to me, #Getting away from plastic Activists filled the streets to demand a strong treaty from the government.
Help us amplify their voices #Earth Day Urge world leaders to support a treaty that significantly reduces plastic production ✂️
👉 https://t.co/H72yYL6aon pic.twitter.com/woMCcDpoo6
— Greenpeace International (@Greenpeace) April 22, 2024