Nice, France, Over 90 member states at the United Nations Ocean Conference today announced their support to the ministerial declaration "The Nice wake up call for an ambitious plastics treaty" which includes a call for the adoption of a global target to reduce the production and consumption of plastic.
In response, Graham Forbes, Greenpeace Head of Delegation to the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations and Global Plastics Campaign Lead at Greenpeace USA, said: "The Nice Declaration, signed by an overwhelming majority of countries, is the wake-up call the world needs. Governments are finally saying the quiet part out loud: we cannot end plastic pollution without cutting plastic production. Full stop.
"The Nice Declaration tackles the root cause of the crisis, which is the ever-growing, reckless production of plastics driven by fossil fuel giants. The message to industry lobbyists is loud and clear: the health of our children is more important than your bottom line."
"We welcome the call for a legally binding global cap on plastic production, and real rules to phase out the most toxic plastic products and chemicals. For too long, treaty talks have been stuck in circular conversations while plastic pollution chokes our oceans, poisons our bodies, and fuels the climate crisis.
"But this statement only matters if countries back it up with action this August in Geneva at INC-5.2. That means no voluntary nonsense, no loopholes, and no surrender to fossil fuel and petrochemical interests. We need a treaty with teeth-one that slashes plastic production, holds polluters accountable, and protects people on the frontlines."
Notes:
A statement, signed by 234 civil society organizations, was also released in support of the Nice declaration.
