Top Posts
Report shows Nigeria lost N700bn agricultural investment in...
NEMA partners NSCDC to address election, flood emergencies
UAE oil company employees given roles in office...
Don says fossil fuel responsible for environmental pollution...
Minnesota Senate passes 100% carbon-free by 2040 electricity...
Wildfires consume over 750 hectares of land in...
Renewable Energy: Colombia to get $70m from Climate...
Saudi Arabia signs MoU with France on Energy...
Report shows Green projects are boosting UK economic...
Russia: EU’s embargo on oil products to destabilise...
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

Plastic Pollution: Countries split on treaty focus as UN negotiations close

by By Matthew Eloyi December 3, 2022
written by By Matthew Eloyi December 3, 2022

A global plastics treaty’s first round of discussions came to a close on Friday with an agreement to stop plastic pollution. However, there was a disagreement on whether objectives and efforts should be universal and obligatory or national and optional.

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), which comprises more than 2,000 representatives from 160 nations, is convening in Uruguay for the first of five sessions with the goal of creating the first legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024.

A “High Ambition Coalition,” which included members of the European Union, competed in the negotiations in the coastal city of Punta del Este against nations like the United States and Saudi Arabia, which are home to some of the largest plastic and petrochemical corporations in the world.

Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, described plastics as “fossil fuels in another form” and encouraged countries to take action against pollution and production.

Read also: US proposes plan for banks to manage climate-related financial risk

Recall that members of the United Nations agreed in March to establish the convention to address the scourge of plastic trash, but they disagree on key points, such as whether to restrict plastic production, phase out specific types of plastics, and unify international regulations.

The High Ambition Coalition, which consists of more than 40 nations and includes EU members, Switzerland, the host country Uruguay, and Ghana, wants the treaty to be based on binding global regulations, such as production limits.

According to Switzerland in its position statement, it will be difficult to manage the global and growing challenge of plastic pollution without a uniform international regulatory framework.

However, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in a statement that the United States was committed to working with other governments and stakeholders throughout the INC process to develop an ambitious, innovative and country-driven global agreement.

Saudi Arabia stated that it wants a treaty addressing plastic litter that is based on national conditions and built on a bottom-to-top strategy, but critics say such a strategy would make a worldwide pact weaker.

At the meetings, business representatives emphasized the importance of plastics in daily life and urged the pact to concentrate on combating trash rather than measures that would reduce production.

Even though some nations disagree on the direction the deal should go, some observers noted that there appears to be a growing consensus that plastic pollution is more than just trash getting dumped in the ocean.

Story was adapted from Reuters.

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
By Matthew Eloyi

previous post
US proposes plan for banks to manage climate-related financial risk
next post
Ministry seeks long-term flood mitigation strategies

Related Posts

UAE oil company employees given roles in office...

February 4, 2023

Minnesota Senate passes 100% carbon-free by 2040 electricity...

February 4, 2023

Renewable Energy: Colombia to get $70m from Climate...

February 3, 2023

Saudi Arabia signs MoU with France on Energy...

February 3, 2023

Report shows Green projects are boosting UK economic...

February 3, 2023

Russia: EU’s embargo on oil products to destabilise...

February 3, 2023

Nigerdock reduces CO2 emissions, switches to renewable energy

February 3, 2023

Environmental groups to sue Shell cracker plant in...

February 3, 2023

Study shows air pollution makes chess player error-prone

February 3, 2023

U.S. Energy Department Wades Into the Gas Stove...

February 3, 2023

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Social Connect

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube Snapchat Vimeo

Recent Posts

  • Report shows Nigeria lost N700bn agricultural investment in 2022 to flooding

    February 4, 2023
  • NEMA partners NSCDC to address election, flood emergencies

    February 4, 2023
  • Don says fossil fuel responsible for environmental pollution in Nigeria

    February 4, 2023
  • Nigerian University collaborates with biogas companies to provide clean energy solutions

    February 3, 2023
  • NGO urges stakeholders to support communities affected by climate change

    February 3, 2023

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World