How to reduce inequalities in the face of plastic pollution? | The plastic enemy

As disagreements persist in landmark UN negotiations on a world-first deal to reduce plastic pollution in Busan, South Korea, small Pacific island nations are calling for a 40% global reduction in plastic production by 2040.

Plastic pollution affects every continent, but its effects are felt particularly acutely in these Pacific locations and in developing countries that contribute little to global production.

The majority of plastic in our waters and on beaches does not come from us, but from elsewhere. It’s imported pollution, just like the impacts of climate change, says Dennis Clare, legal counsel for the Federated States of Micronesia.

This pollution directly threatens the economy of the archipelago made up of more than 600 islands largely dependent on fishing and tourism.

If fish are contaminated with plastic, it harms public health and reduces interest in fishing licenses, a pillar of our economyhe adds.

The situation is similar in Fiji, which is made up of 302 islands and has only one landfill site. The archipelago is also demanding that the International Criminal Court recognize the crime of ecocide to judge environmental destruction.

For our islands, plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue, it is an existential issue. It destroys our reefs, poisons our food resources and exacerbates our vulnerability to climate changesays Sivendra Michael, the head of the delegation and permanent secretary of the Fijian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Faced with these inequalities, delegates from the most affected countries are pleading for solutions that address the root causes of plastic pollution.

One of the measures proposed during the negotiations is the reduction of plastic production at source.

When you make too much of something, the solution is to make less of it. Small island states in the Pacific have proposed reducing the production of primary polymers by 40% by 2040, compared to 2025 levels. This is in line with scientific recommendations and essential to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 °Cargues Dennis Clare.

The proposal is contested and remains one of the main points of dispute. From the start of this fifth negotiating session in two years on Monday, Russia and Saudi Arabia, two major oil producers, repeated their discontent.

Fiji is calling for a reduction in global plastic production, without quantifying it, which would make it possible to catch up on cleaning and waste management.

The head of the delegation calls for financing mechanisms to ensure that less wealthy countries and consumers will not be the big losers. Sivendra Michael cites the example of the healthcare industry which uses many plastic-based products that will be expensive to replace.

We demand that plastic producers be held accountable, with tools like production taxes and funds to help small states manage this crisisargues Sivendra Michael.

The chief negotiator of the Rwandan delegation, Juliet Kabera, also insists on better financing of local programs.

She believes that Rwanda, a pioneer in banning plastic bags since 2008, proves that it is possible to make significant progress.

Local bans must be supported by global commitments. Developing countries cannot face this crisis alone. We need funding and technical support to build our capacitysays Juliet Kabera.

Rwanda co-chairs the coalition of high ambitiona group of 68 countries working to end plastic pollution. Canada and the Fiji Islands are part of this grouping.

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