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184 countries gathered in Geneva unable to deliver Global Plastics Treaty after negotiations extend through the night
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Negotiations falter after yielding to consensus with low ambition countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the USA
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140,000 tonnes of plastic enters the Australian environment every year
Australia’s oceans, coastlines, and remote Indigenous communities will suffer the consequences of spiralling levels of plastic pollution after the latest round of negotiations failed to deliver a strong and effective Global Plastics Treaty, says the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation.
Representatives from 184 countries were in Geneva to deliver a legally-binding Global Plastics Treaty during the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) running from 5-14 August, which continued through the night and into 15 August. Organisers have now adjourned the session to reconvene at an undisclosed later date.
AMCS Plastics Campaign Manager Cip Hamilton said: “The world came to Geneva looking for courage. Instead, over 11 days, we saw a small handful of low ambition countries with a vested interest in fossil fuels using consensus to delay a result.
“It is deeply disappointing to end up with no agreement after years of work, despite the majority of nations calling for a treaty that delivers what the world’s communities, coastlines and oceans desperately need.
“It remains clear that a treaty that attempts to negotiate by consensus with all countries will never meet the ambition that our oceans need when fundamental elements, like binding cuts to plastic production, cannot be agreed on.
“We cannot afford to wait any longer. The time for compromise and consensus is over.
“Throughout this process, we have seen the strength of countries calling out the injustice of a world dominated by plastics and the harm that it causes. There is a strong commitment by the majority of countries, including Australia, who attended the negotiations to finalise a global instrument with legally binding measures to end plastic pollution.
“We call on all countries who showed leadership and strength to continue to show commitment to ending plastic pollution and work together to enact the solutions needed.
“Until we reach a legally binding global agreement that cuts plastic production, Australia’s marine life and coastlines will continue to suffer under mountains of plastic pollution.
“Thousands of sea turtles are dying in plastic ghost fishing nets across northern Australia every year, seabirds are so full of plastic that they crunch when held, and toxic chemicals are inundating our oceans. All while our lives are becoming increasingly surrounded by unnecessary plastics that global packaging corporations make it impossible to avoid.
“The more plastic that gets produced, the more it ends up polluting our environment. About 140,000 tonnes of plastic already enters the Australian environment every year. Without global action, plastic production is projected to triple by 2060 which would send plastic pollution spiralling out of control.”
Dhimurru Rangers Facilitator Grace Wunungmurra said: “For Dhimurru Rangers, it is devastating to see a treaty delayed, to leave Geneva with no action on cutting unsustainable plastic production.
“We are sick and tired of the flood of plastics and ghost nets washing up on our beaches. Plastic is not in our culture, it’s not in our songlines and it shouldn’t be in our future. We must use Indigenous knowledge of land and sea Country.
“We must use this opportunity to encourage countries and global leaders to end plastic pollution.”
Dhimurru Ranger Team Leader Shanita Yunupingu said: ‘We cleaned up our land and sea Country. We picked up 6 tonnes in two weeks. It’s so frustrating and devastating to see our Country with lots of plastics.
“It’s so disappointing that we don’t have a treaty that stops this rubbish.”
About the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS):
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) is Australia’s leading voice for ocean conservation. As an independent charity, we have been protecting our precious marine life and habitats since 1965.
We are a passionate community of scientists, educators, and advocates dedicated to safeguarding Australia’s oceans. Our work has helped establish vital marine reserves, protect endangered species like the Australian sea lion, stop super trawlers and lead efforts to ban whaling.
From the Great Barrier Reef to Ningaloo, together with our community of ocean lovers, AMCS fights for healthy oceans and marine wildlife every day.
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