IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Global Coalition for Plastics Sustainability

16th November, 2023 Environment

Global Coalition for Plastics Sustainability

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Context

  • The formation of a Global Coalition for Plastics Sustainability has been announced.

Background

  • The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution began on November 11, 2023, with member states holding preparatory meetings, followed by a regional meeting on November 12, 2023.
  • The session will go on until November 19, 2023, at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

Global Coalition for Plastics Sustainability

  • The Global Coalition for Plastics Sustainability consists of Russia, Cuba, China, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, among others.
  • In line with the interventions of these countries during INC-2, the group calls for the global plastics treaty to focus on plastic waste management, for the targets included to be set at the national level (bottom-up approach), for no trade issues to be addressed within the INC process, and for discussion and agreement on scope and definitions before moving forward.
  • This group's position contrasts with that of the High Ambition Coalition, which seeks globally binding regulations (top-down approach) and tighter controls throughout the life cycle of plastics.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. What is Global Coalition for Plastics Sustainability? Shed light on its aim and purpose.