Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution
Upcoming meeting: tentative dates 22 – 26 May 2023 in Paris, France
ISWA’s latest submission for INC-2
INTRODUCTION
In February 2022, at the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), a historic resolution (5/14) was adopted to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution with the ambition to complete the negotiations by end of 2024.
The instrument is to be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. The INC will consider how to promote sustainable production and consumption of plastics from product design to environmentally sound waste management through resource efficiency and circular economy approaches.
The rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution represent a serious global environmental issue that negatively impacts the environmental, social, economic and health dimensions of sustainable development.
Under a business-as-usual scenario and in the absence of necessary interventions, the amount of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems could nearly triple from some 9–14 million tonnes per year in 2016 to a projected 23–37 million tons per year by 2040.
ISWA’S ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION
ISWA is proud to be actively involved in this process by following the sessions of the intergovernmental negotiating committee that will define the structure and instruments of the treaty.
Following ISWA’s position paper on Plastics Pollution, issued as a contribution to UNEA 5.2 in February this year, ISWA prepared key messages for the meeting, but will also follow up and engage in the discussion throughout the whole negotiation process until the end of 2024.
Carlos Silva Filho representing ISWA at the Multi-Stakeholder Forum, in conjunction with the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) in Punta Del Este, Uruguay
GET INVOLVED
To aid ISWA’s active participation in defining the treaty, ISWA invites members to join the ISWA Task Force on Plastic Pollution, in one or all of the following ways:
1. Stay informed about the Task Force and the INC process
2. Engage in the Task Force as an active member
3. Sponsor the Task Force financially
Get in touch with ISWA via the button below and let us know how you would like to contribute!
Another way to be actively and instantly involved in ISWA’s contributions to the INC process is by advocating for our submissions and messages with the national focal point in your country. The delegates of each country will be the negotiators in the INC process.
You can find their contact details here, and all relevant files downloadable here.