Nairobi — As the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) closes, Greenpeace reiterates its call on Member States to move forward with an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty and underlines the urgency of ratifying the Global Oceans Convention.
Amid concerns over attempts to limit Plastics Treaty obligations this week. Helen Kahaso Dena, project leader for Greenpeace Africa's Pan-African Plastics Project, said:“Several countries are watering down the text already agreed to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040, reducing ambition on all fronts and denying the link between chemicals and the climate crisis.”
“We urge member states to demonstrate courage and ambition as they continue negotiations in Ottawa next month without compromising the mission of the Global Plastics Treaty.” Dena emphasized.
Plastic pollution contributes significantly to the triple global crisis of climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss, exacerbating racial, gender and economic inequalities around the world.
Gerans Mutwole, a plastics activist with Greenpeace Africa, emphasizes:“The scale of the plastics crisis is dire and only an ambitious treaty can turn the tide. We cannot risk using toothless instruments. We must demand the establishment of a treaty that comprehensively addresses the plastic crisis, from extraction to disposal. A treaty that fails to curb runaway plastic production will miss its purpose.“
Ahead of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to be held in Ottawa in April, Greenpeace is calling on member states to demonstrate determination and solidarity in tackling the plastic crisis head-on. The treaty requires plastic production to be reduced by at least 75% by 2040 to ensure the climate stays below 1.5°C and protects our health, rights and communities.
“Overall, many governments represented at UNEA-6 lack ambition and are committed to other initiatives, from transitioning away from fossil fuels, tackling climate change and integrating biodiversity to glorifying the Global Ocean Treaty. We were unable or unwilling to repeat the commitments made in the place. At times it felt as if we were watching the United Nations General Assembly against the environment.” said Anne Lambrecht, Greenpeace international biodiversity policy expert.
Some parties emphasized the urgency of the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises, including the need to ratify the Global Ocean Convention.
“One year after the treaty was agreed, only two countries have ratified it, and as the 2025 deadline begins to approach, governments must accelerate efforts to ratify the treaty. There is a need.“ concluded Laura Mellor of Greenpeace's Save Our Oceans campaign.
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For more information, please contact us below.
Brandon Way, Greenpeace Canada spokesperson
(email protected); +1 778 772-6138
Ferdinand Omondi, Communications and Story Manager, Greenpeace Africa(email protected)+254 722 505 233
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