Biden Urged by Democrats for Tougher Plastics Waste Stand in Crucial Talks
TL/DR –
Democratic senators are urging the Biden administration to advocate for a robust agreement on plastic pollution at the ongoing United Nations talks in Ottawa. They warn that the current US negotiating strategy could give polluters too much power over the process. Two opposing groups have emerged during the negotiations, with one group, including major petrochemical producers like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia, resisting limits on plastic production, and another group calling for reductions in plastics and heavy investment in reuse and recycling systems.
US Democratic Senators Urge Strong Treaty in UN Plastic Pollution Talks
Democratic senators are urging the Biden administration to aim for a robust treaty in the critical United Nations talks on plastic pollution unfolding in Ottawa, Canada. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) has highlighted the necessity for the US to back a strong agreement to tackle plastic waste, expressing concerns over the administration’s current negotiating strategy that may empower polluters.
Whitehouse noted that the U.S. has tied itself with self-imposed constraints that benefit the industry targeted by the talks. If these restrictions persist, plastic production is projected to double by midcentury, and ocean waste to triple by 2040, according to scientists.
Whitehouse, along with senators Peter Welch, Jeff Merkley, and Kirsten Gillibrand, have called on negotiators to strive for the strongest possible agreement. However, the State Department has committed to seeking a treaty that secures unanimous approval, effectively abandoning the potential for a more stringent standard that could win majority support.
Debates on Plastic Production Limits
Delegates at the UN Environment Program’s plastics talks are divided over plastic production limits. The 60-country High Ambition Coalition is advocating for reducing production and consumption to sustainable levels, while major petrochemical producers oppose such restrictions. Discussions have seen an increase in participation from the petrochemical industry, with 196 attending the ongoing INC-4 conference.
The business sector has shown support in reaching a deal to reduce plastic waste, with the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty pushing for a binding global agreement. However, industry representatives have argued against production limits, which the High Ambition Coalition considers essential in combating plastic pollution.
US Negotiators’ Stance on Plastic Production
US negotiators have reportedly challenged production restrictions, as per the University of California Berkeley researcher, Douglas McCauley. He introduced a tool that proposes multiple solutions to significantly reduce plastics waste by midcentury. These include capping production of new plastics from fossil fuels at current levels and charging producers for their waste. Despite these propositions, the US delegation has rejected all alternatives, particularly opposing production caps.
Whitehouse acknowledges the challenge of restricting plastic production due to its pervasiveness in modern life. However, he believes setting aggressive limits is crucial. Whitehouse noted that a robust treaty from the INC process could motivate Congress to align with international standards, thus challenging industry opposition.
According to Whitehouse, even if all nations don’t sign the treaty, those that do could potentially form a high ambition zone pressuring others. He suggested the possibility of a two-tier agreement allowing more ambitious countries to push harder, even without the endorsement of countries such as Russia, Iran, or Saudi Arabia.
McCauley contrasts the US role in the Ottawa talks to its influential part in the UN climate negotiations. Without similar leadership in addressing the plastic crisis, he warns of the difficulties in achieving a sturdy final agreement.
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