'Free Plastics' member states and allies peacefully call for a human rights-based approach to the Plastics Convention ahead of fourth round of negotiations
OTTAWA, CANADA | Traditional unceded territory of the Anishinaabeg people of Algonquin — Hundreds of affected community leaders and experts from around the world gathered on the streets of Ottawa today ahead of the fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Advance the Plastics Convention (INC-4). , we have reached an extremely important „make or break“ moment. Toward a global plastic treaty.
A global alliance of indigenous and indigenous leaders, frontline community groups, climate change activists, youth leaders, health professionals, waste collectors, environmental activists, scientists, and civil society from every continent. rallied to march from Parliament Hill to the Shaw Center with a unified message: Pollution from the entire lifecycle of plastics threatens human life and our fundamental rights to health and the environment. Significant contribution to the climate crisis —especially for Black, Brown, Indigenous, frontline and under-resourced communities in the Global South.
By marching peacefully in the streets of Ottawa ahead of the negotiations. Breaking away from plastic Movement members and allies want to remind negotiators of their obligation to protect human rights, human health, the environment and the climate. The treaty negotiation process aims to establish a legally binding instrument to rid the world of plastic pollution across its lifecycle, including significant reductions in the production of primary plastic polymers, and is expected to be implemented on a large scale in Ottawa. mobilization is a national tool to eliminate plastic pollution. Negotiators know that we cannot sit idly by and watch petrochemical companies work with governments in fossil fuel producing countries to once again separate communities into „sacrifice zones.“
The entire lifecycle of plastics comes at the expense of public health and human rights, and plastic production plays a key role in fueling the climate crisis. The mission to negotiate the treaty agreed at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in March 2022 was a landmark achievement. Now is the time for governments to choose how these negotiations will impact our common future.
“We are here to call on our delegates to negotiate a treaty that is in line with the commitments in UNEA resolution 5/14. It means measures that address the whole cycle.'' Representatives must act as if our lives depend on it. Because that's what they do.“ Daniela Duran Gonzalez, Senior Legal Activist, International Environmental Law Center. “Our climate goals, the protection of human health, the enjoyment of human rights, and the rights of future generations all depend on whether a future plastics treaty regulates and reduces polymers to successfully end the plastic pollution crisis. It depends.”
Civil society organizations have compiled the following list: Main demands for INC-4 participantswith a particular focus on human rights-based approaches to negotiating the Plastics Treaty, including centering the knowledge, voices and experiences of people on the front lines of the crisis, indigenous peoples, workers, young people and other rights-holders. I am.
These demands recognize that the life cycle begins with the extraction of raw materials and covers the production of plastics, their raw materials and precursors, and ensure that the Convention includes provisions that address crises throughout the life cycle of plastics. The purpose is Support for non-toxic reuse systems, along with strong regulation of the plastic waste trade to end waste colonialism, will protect those living on the fence lines of industries worst affected by the crisis. It is a key solution supported by civil society organizations including:
„Children and young people like me are the ones who suffer most from plastic pollution, and we are recognized as a vulnerable group,“ he said. Aeshnina 'Nina' Azzara, founder of River Warrior Indonesia. „We all want the environment to be plastic-free, but let's not put our burden on the other side of the world. This is unfair. Adults coming to Ottawa to negotiate plastics deal We must protect our right to live in a healthy and safe environment.”
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Press contact:
– Brett Nadrich (USA and Canada): (email protected) | +1 929 269 4480
– Kate Bonacini (global): (email protected) | +1- 510-520-9109
– Caro Gonzalez (Global): (email protected) | +1 646 991 1013
Note to editors:
Key demands from civil society organizations for INC-4 participants are available here.
Additional quotation is possible here.
Add photos and videos from today's march here As soon as available.
Click to watch live coverage of the pre-march press conference and rally in English, French, and Spanish. here.
About moving away from plastic – #breakfreefrom Plastic is a global movement that envisions a future free from plastic pollution. Since its launch in 2016, he has joined the movement of more than 2,000 organizations and 11,000 individual supporters from around the world, demanding a significant reduction in single-use plastics and pushing for lasting solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. Masu. BFFP member organizations and individuals share the values of environmental protection and social justice and work together through a holistic approach to effect systemic change. This means tackling plastic pollution across the entire plastic value chain (from extraction to disposal), focusing on prevention rather than cure, and providing effective solutions. www.breakfreefromplast.org