Plastics treaty: Will the developing world be heard?

On Wednesday, May 24 at 19:30 GMT:
What is needed to arrive at a global plastic treaty that is effective for everyone? NGOs enter into discussion with the UN for the limited presence of important voices, especially those from developing countries, in the upcoming negotiations on a treaty to end plastic pollution.

Environmentalists say it’s vital for people in developing countries – places that are often the recipient of plastic waste from rich countries – to let negotiators know their first-hand experience with the issue.

Marginalized populations on the front lines of the plastic crisis are subject to the negative impacts of plastic at all stages: from fossil fuel extraction to production, consumption and disposal. Poorer communities are also disproportionately affected when it comes to environmental pollution from improper waste management, dumping or burning of plastic waste.

Last year, 193 countries agreed to end plastic pollution, aiming to create a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty by 2024. The UN Environment Program will host the second round of negotiations from May 29 in Paris. Released prior to the event, a new UN report estimates that reducing plastic pollution by 80% over the next two decades would prevent more than $3 trillion in damage to global health, the environment and the climate.

In this episode of The Stream, we look at proposed solutions and what’s at stake in the global plastic crisis.

In this episode of The Stream we speak with:
Andres Del Castillo, @andresdelcas
Senior Advocate, CIEL

Shilpi Chhotray, @ShilpiChhotray
Co-Founder and Executive Director, People Over Plastic

Tiwonge Mzumara-Gawa, @Tearfund
Partner and campaigner, Tearfund campaign