Breaking Free From Plastics

By FGR Bureau

“Toxics are accumulating at alarming rates. Plastics are released into the marine environment from dumping, consumer markets that do not match local waste management systems, and production spillage. Microplastics have even more varied sources – from primary sources like personal care product and pellets and flake lost at production facilities to secondary sources like textiles, tires, city dust, and other larger plastics”.

The Second meeting of the Adhoc Open Ended Expert Group on marine litter and micro plastics was held from 3 to 7 December 2018 in Geneva proceeded by the coordination meeting for Major Groups and Stakeholders on 2 December 2018. The mandate of the expert group was to explore the barriers to combat marine litter and micro-plastics and is symbiotically linked to the global community’s efforts to combat this menace. The recommendations especially were to be adopted at UNEA4 in March 2019.

After a first meeting of the AHOEEG in May 2018, a second meeting was convened on 3-7 December, 2018, in Geneva, Switzerland. The group gathered member-States, experts, Major Groups and stakeholders to exchange on options to tackle marine plastic litter and microplastics. The participating organizations and experts urged for the establishment of a dedicated Convention on plastics, which at present is largely missing from the international framework.

The meet emphasized on two distinct themes. Firstly, Information and Monitoring, and Governance. The Information and Monitoring path recognized a continuing need for measuring, monitoring and reporting on global progress on preventing plastic from entering the marine environment to achieve a substantial reduction in marine plastic pollution. In terms of the Governance path, the most important factor in eliminating plastics from the marine environment relates to the life cycle of the plastic. That includes the whole process, from their production from the raw material, to the point of entering the ocean. Long-term implementation strategies include the use of recyclable and reusable materials, as well as improvements in how (plastic) waste is managed at the local government level.

The stakeholders proposed a four-pillar strategy, which focused on: coordination and cooperation of existing mechanisms; binding measures to reduce plastic pollution and harmonize legislation; financial support for a new institution and participating developing countries; and technical support to ensure informed, science-based decision-making and avoid false solutions to the plastic pollution crisis.

Experts called for the need for stronger global action to combat marine litter. A number of initiatives and activities exist aiming at eliminating plastic litter entering the ocean and their potential should be explored within their respective mandates. Meanwhile, there was a growing recognition for a new governance model to be explored. Some delegations pointed to a new legally binding agreement as one possible effective response to be considered.

Additionally, it was reminded of the need to connect the agenda with the 2030 Agenda, particularly through SDGs 14.1 (by 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution) and 12.4 (By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle). In this regard, it was emphasized to consider the importance of local and regional governments in this process, particularly as actors responsible for the implementation and follow-up of global decisions and of actions on the ground to eliminate marine plastic pollution.

The crisis of plastic pollution needs to be urgently addressed, even as we push for negotiating of a binding international convention. Discussion of governance structures should take a life cycle approach in their consideration of plastics, including the many adverse health impacts. Recycling is not enough to address the current onslaught of plastics and particularly not adequate to address the predicted 33% increase in production in the next 5 years. The causes of the plastic pollution crisis notably, plastic production and over packaging and the need for extended producer responsibility and product redesign to solve the problem.

What is so Significant about AHOEEG?

The work undertaken by the AHOEEG is recognized as significant. At UNEA-4 it was resolved that the AHOEEG’s mandate, issued at UNEA-3 would be extended to UNEA-5, which is scheduled for February 2021. The AHOEEG continues working on pursuing the outcomes with the broad themes – Information and Monitoring, and Governance. Priority attention is also given to establish strong partnerships between governments, non-government and other relevant organizations and agencies to build and nurture relationships to espouse the case for plastic free world. The relationships will emphasize and encourage progress towards a “6 R’s” approach – recycle, re-use, reduce, refuse, regenerate and rethink the use of plastic.

Drawing high-level representation and a global audience, many of the countries and stakeholder groups, in support for the AHOEEG, further committed to address marine plastic and micro-plastic pollution. For instance, Australia’s contribution emphasized the reduction of marine plastics through National Waste Policy and setting an ambitious target of 100 per cent use of recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging by 2025.

The next reform…

A strong call for binding international governance on plastic and global legally binding instrument towards stronger enforcement measures.

The establishment of a global knowledge hub to share standard science and methodologies (including citizen science) and national inventory information on plastic production.

Consideration of full life cycle of plastics in a holistic, evidence-based approach for eliminating marine and micro-plastic pollution.

The urgent need for strengthened knowledge of the levels and effects of microplastics and nano-plastics on marine ecosystems, seafood and human health

Preventive action through waste minimization and environmentally sound waste management as the highest priority in geographical areas with the largest sources of marine plastic