TODAY leaders of global industry, NGOs and UN delegates have united in calling for a global policy framework that would address all stages of the plastic lifecycle.
Consensus was gained on the need for corporate targets that are transparent, robust, and actionable at an event in Nairobi, hosted by WBCSD, South Pole, EA Earth Action and TakaTaka Solutions.
The high-level discussion was attended by the World Bank, World Economic Forum and UN delegates from the USA, Kenya, Switzerland, UK and the United Nations Environment Programme.
This comes as international negotiators gather at INC-3 in Nairobi to draft an internationally binding treaty on plastic pollution.
Attendees set out to align on how public and private sector organisations can set targets to mitigate plastic pollution, the current effectiveness of EPR regulation and how local solutions to plastic pollution can be scaled globally.
Organisations such as the Plastic Footprint Network went on to say such targets should be set to restrict the percentage of yearly virgin plastic consumption and mismanaged waste alongside reuse and repair rates when presenting its vision for a future treaty.
Whilst a future treaty is likely to set parameters for plastic pollution mitigation at a state level, scientists, businesses and NGOs have argued that a scientific framework translating public sector goals to corporate targets is needed.
The Plastic Footprint Network have also urged for mandatory disclosure to be incorporated, centralised through the proposed treaty, standardising what will be disclosed by using the plastic footprint measurement.
The network made up of 35 global organisations including EA Earth Action, South Pole, WBCSD, World Economic Forum and WWF, have worked to establish the methodology for conducting plastic footprint assessments.
The plastic footprint measurement accurately captures plastic leakage, which is the amount of plastic released into the environment, from both macro and micro-plastics.
The methodology takes this measurement and applies it to multiple aspects of plastic pollution, such as packaging, textile fibres, tyres, plastic leakage and waste exports.
The Plastic Footprint Network state that the measurement in question would provide the foundation for global waste management systems to be scaled to a level which matches the rate of plastic production.
Sarah Perreard, Co-CEO, EA Earth Action & the Plastic Footprint Network said: “After decades of scientific evidence documenting the impact of plastic pollution on the planet and humankind alike, this discussion represented the importance of public and private collaboration in working towards an effective solution to this crisis.”
“A future UN treaty on plastic should set mandatory targets that are transparent, robust, and actionable with any accountability framework providing transparent strategic guidelines for corporate action with the highest pollution mitigation potential.”
Delphine Garin, Manager, Plastics & Packaging, WBCSD: “Alignment between government and corporate requirements set in any future treaty are an essential if we wish to create a circular global economy where plastic pollution is tackled at every stage the material’s lifecycle. While the treaty is likely to set parameters for national level plastic pollution mitigation, a scientific framework translating public sector goals to corporate targets is lacking. The Plastic Footprint Network vision provides a roadmap to ensure that it is at the very core of the UN Global Plastics Treaty.”
