Plastic Pollution
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, announced the country’s support for global efforts aimed at eradicating plastic pollution. This announcement comes as the government is in consultations with the plastic industry concerning a ground-breaking, internationally legally binding agreement to address this escalating environmental threat.
The foundation for these talks was set in 2022 when South Africa played a pivotal role in backing the formation of such an instrument at the Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly. Creecy emphasised the constitutional backing this initiative receives, highlighting the importance of safeguarding public health and the environment from plastic pollution’s detrimental impacts.
“Consequently, on the domestic front, the South African negotiations rest on a firm base provided by our Constitution protecting the right to an environment that is not harmful to health, and to have our environment protected from plastic pollution,” Creecy stated, underlining the critical junction at which these discussions stand.
Amidst this global environmental challenge, the Minister acknowledged the growth ambitions of the plastics sector within South Africa’s industrial policy. She underscored the necessity of ensuring that this growth trajectory adheres to sustainability principles that are socially, environmentally, and economically viable.
These remarks were made during a consultative virtual gathering with stakeholders aimed at refining South Africa’s strategy for the upcoming 4th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC4) meeting on crafting an international legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution. This significant meeting is slated to occur in Ottawa, Canada, from 23 – 29 April 2024.
The proposed treaty aims to address the comprehensive lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal, reinforcing waste management systems to prevent environmental contamination. Creecy highlighted the importance of extended producer responsibility schemes, recycling improvements, and public engagement initiatives as crucial elements of a holistic approach to combating plastic pollution.
With South Africa’s extensive coastline exceeding 3,000 kilometres, the risks plastic pollution poses to marine and terrestrial ecosystems have prompted rigorous participation in the INC discussions.
“The recognition of the threat plastic pollution poses to human health, ecosystem functioning, and the marine environment keeps the South African members of the INC hard at work,” Creecy asserted, calling for heightened collective action to mitigate this pressing issue.
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