Global Leaders Agree to Plastics Treaty, Calling for Phasing Out Fossil Fuels to Combat Pollution

Plastic pollution has become so rampant globally that governments, businesses, and civil society organizations are in negotiations to create an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. The second round of talks will take place in Paris beginning on May 29, 2023. This treaty is aimed at ensuring that both human rights protections and the role of fossil fuels in plastic production are addressed, among others. As 99 percent of plastics are made from fossil fuels, which are the primary contributor to the climate crisis, governments must ensure that the treaty addresses the underlying source of plastic pollution. However, the “options for elements” paper published in April by the United Nations Environment Program, which outlines potential components of the new treaty, fails to raise the phaseout of fossil fuels and related subsidies as an element of the forthcoming treaty.

Governments must tackle the plastic problem at its core by urgently phasing out fossil fuels to prevent the devastating impact of plastic pollution on the climate crisis. The life cycle of plastic pollution begins with oil and gas extraction, which are the primary drivers of the climate crisis. Current predictions indicate that plastics and petrochemicals will drive 30 percent of the growth in oil demand by 2030 and nearly half of the growth by 2050. Therefore, actions to combat plastic pollution must begin with phasing out fossil fuels and related subsidies.

The role of plastics in the climate crisis and the significant harm they cause to human rights around the world cannot be overemphasized. Plastic pollution can affect the right to health of workers and residents living near plastic recycling facilities. Shipment of plastic waste from countries in the Global North to countries with weak or nonexistent environmental regulations, low labor costs, and undeveloped government oversight of environmental and labor rights violations can also lead to serious human rights harm.

Additionally, UN reports suggest that new treaty elements should include prohibiting plastic incineration, waste-to-energy processes, and chemical recycling, all of which are labeled as dangerous practices and should be phased out. The paper includes development of a streamlined permit process for plastic waste shipment to countries with limited capacity in their recycling facilities, but it falls short of proposing a ban on the shipment of plastic waste.

Earlier in 2023, the European Parliament adopted proposals on new rules to ban plastic waste exports outside of the European Union. This was a significant step toward protecting communities around the world, and EU member states, including France as a host of the treaty negotiations, should support an export ban at the EU level and as part of the new treaty.

In conclusion, plastic pollution is a growing global crisis that requires urgent and decisive action. The forthcoming treaty negotiations will make a significant contribution to addressing this issue. Governments have a critical role to play in phasing out fossil fuels, as it is the ultimate source of plastic pollution. In addition, the new treaty should include a comprehensive life-cycle approach to tackling plastic pollution, which encompasses significant human rights protections. Ultimately, the aim of these efforts should be to prevent the devastating impact of plastic waste on human health and the environment.

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