https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/events/road-to-busan-plastics-t...
This event, co-organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development Earth Negotiations Bulletin and the Geneva Environment Network within the framework of the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues will provide an overview on the upcoming fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5), scheduled to take place from 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea.
About this Event
With one more scheduled meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) left to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, stakeholders are wondering if there is still time to align on a new multilateral environmental agreement that will stem the tide of plastic pollution.
INC-4 in Ottawa in April 2024 was the first session where delegations truly outlined their positions and shared them with each other—leading to a ballooning of brackets in the Revised Draft Text. In some cases, the meeting offered an opportunity to hear the rationale behind divergent positions, which might aid in efforts to seek convergence. However, the talks also clarified just how many different interpretations exist on the scope set forth by UNEA resolution 5/14—and what level of ambition the plastics treaty should have.
This event will explore what to expect in Busan at INC-5, especially:
- Possible convergence around “low hanging fruit” issues, such as waste management and legacy plastic
- Options and appetite for addressing upstream parts of the plastic lifecycle
- State of play on finance for implementation
- The latest updates from intersessional work
Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues
The world is facing a plastic crisis, the status quo is not an option. Plastic pollution is a serious issue of global concern which requires an urgent and international response involving all relevant actors at different levels. Many initiatives, projects and governance responses and options have been developed to tackle this major environmental problem, but we are still unable to cope with the amount of plastic we generate. In addition, there is a lack of coordination which can better lead to a more effective and efficient response.
Various actors in Geneva are engaged in rethinking the way we manufacture, use, trade and manage plastics. The Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues aim at outreaching and creating synergies among these actors, highlighting efforts made by intergovernmental organizations, governments, businesses, the scientific community, civil society and individuals in the hope of informing and creating synergies and coordinated actions. The dialogues highlight what the different stakeholders in Geneva and beyond have achieved at all levels, and present the latest research and governance options.
Following the landmark resolution adopted at UNEA-5 to end plastic pollution and building on the outcomes of the first two series, the third series of dialogues will encourage increased engagement of the Geneva community with future negotiations on the matter.
