Negotiations on Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution to Resume in Ottawa

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The representatives from 175 countries across the globe is scheduled to converge in Canada to discuss the terms of a global treaty aimed at putting an end to plastic pollution. The meeting follows the last round of negotiations which were held in Nairobi, Kenya almost five months back. Following this, a final meeting of delegates will be held in South Korea to formulate the treaty.

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The Nairobi meeting, which debated a draft treaty, came to an end with participants raising disagreements over the scope of the proposed treaty. Also, NGO environmental organizations has accused of lack in progress in the talks. According to Steven Guilbeault, Environment Minister, Canada, the goal of the Ottawa meet is to achieve a text with 60-70% of the elements endorsed by delegates.

There has been no two ways about the need for a global treaty to address widespread plastic pollution that has been posing potentially grave impacts on oceans and climate. The global plastics production has more than doubled over the past two decades to around 460 million tonnes, and is predicted to triple over the next four decades. As per rough estimates by OECD, only 9% of the plastic are recycled.

The Ottawa round of negotiations will give a clear signal as to whether a potential agreement could be reached before the end of the current year.