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As the world grapples with the escalating crisis of plastic pollution, environmental organizations are intensifying their calls for decisive action ahead of the next round of treaty negotiations in Ottawa, Canada. The talks, aimed at drafting the Global Plastic Treaty, are seen as crucial in addressing the entire lifecycle of plastic, from production to disposal. However, recent developments at the negotiations have raised concerns about the potential influence of industry lobbyists and the readiness of countries like Thailand to adopt the treaty’s ambitious goals.
The presence of 143 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists at the third round of negotiations — outnumbering the 70 delegates from the smallest member states — has sparked alarm among environmental advocates. According to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), this disproportionate representation raises fears that the interests of the petrochemical industry could sway the negotiations towards preserving the status quo, rather than adopting strong measures to combat plastic pollution. The revised Zero Draft of the treaty presents negotiators with options ranging from strong to weak measures, with the outcome potentially becoming a “dream” or a “nightmare” based on the decisions made.
Further complicating the negotiations is Thailand’s readiness to commit to the treaty’s objectives. The country currently lacks the domestic laws necessary to manage the full life cycle of plastics, a key goal of the treaty. Existing Thai laws delegate waste management responsibilities to local authorities, focusing on collection and disposal rather than comprehensive management. Although there are non-binding initiatives like the national action plan on plastic waste management, these measures fall short of the legal framework needed to ratify and implement the treaty effectively.
Despite these challenges, there is hope that the remaining two rounds of negotiations will provide an opportunity for change. Environmental groups stress the importance of civil society organizations and the public in monitoring the talks and advocating for a pollution-free future. They argue that living in a clean and healthy environment is a human right and that the Global Plastic Treaty represents a critical chance to advance towards a sustainable and equitable world.
Pichmol Rugrud, Plastic-Free Future Project Leader for Greenpeace Thailand, emphasizes the treaty’s potential to significantly reduce plastic production. “The Global Plastics Treaty must cut total plastic production by at least 75% by 2040,” Rugrud asserts, highlighting the link between plastic pollution and broader environmental challenges.
As the negotiations proceed, the call for a strong and ambitious treaty grows louder. The involvement of industry lobbyists and the readiness of countries to implement the treaty’s objectives underscore the complex dynamics at play. The outcome of the talks in Ottawa will be closely watched by environmental advocates and concerned citizens worldwide, eager for a comprehensive strategy to tackle one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.