Guinea and Germany, in collaboration with Norway and Rwanda as the Co-Chairs of the Coalition, invite to a HAC Webinar titled Eliminate and restrict plastic polymers, chemicals and products of concern with speakers from Government, Civil society, Scientists and Business.

The event will take place on 5 May 2023, 09:00-10:30 a.m. GMT. The event will be in French and English with interpretation.

Agenda

Opening remarks by HAC representatives

• Axel Borchmann, Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany
• Ibrahima Sory Cisse, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Guinea

Panel discussion

• Hon. Francoise UWUMUKIZA, member of the East African Legislative Assembly (PRESENTATION)
• David Azoulay, Centre for International Environmental Law
• Martin Wagner, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Moderator: Zaynab Sadan, WWF

Background

Plastic pollution constitutes a planetary crisis with impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, the climate and human health. Plastic consumption and production have reached unsustainable levels. Plastic consumption has quadrupled over the past 30 years. Global plastic production has doubled from 2000 to 2019 reaching 460 million tonnes. Much of this growth is driven by a massive increase in the production of single-use plastics for packaging and consumer goods, which accounts for half of plastic waste generation. Current projections stipulate that plastic production will double in the next 20 years. The world will not be able to manage the volume of plastic waste and avoid leakage.

The High Ambition Coalition is working is working towards an international treaty that will eliminate problematic plastics, substances and additives, including by bans and restrictions.

Certain polymers and chemicals used in plastics (such as softeners or colourants) have long term adverse effects on human health and the environment and/or create barriers for the recycling of plastic waste. Also, certain plastic products are particularly prone to littering and plastic pollution due to the way in which they are intended to be used. A number of legislative initiatives around the world have introduced bans or restrictions on such plastic products. The plastic treaty may include obligations for effectively phasing out, or severely restricting the production and/or use of specific polymers, chemicals and plastic products that are harmful to the environment and human health, are problematic because they impede circularity or that have a high risk of release into the environment.

This event provides opportunities for Member States and stakeholders to discuss possible options for core obligations and control measures in the plastics treaty to eliminate and restrict plastic polymers, chemicals and products. Such options could be requirements to eliminate and restrict the production and use of polymers, chemicals and plastic products listed in an annex, with related non-party trade measures. The treaty should set criteria for identifying polymers, chemicals of concern and plastic products. The criteria could be polymers, chemicals and products harmful to the environment and human health, impeding circularity and the risk of release to the environment

Recording