Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) held a roundtable for representatives from some member states to conduct deep dive discussions on key provisions of the agreement to establish a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. The roundtable was recently held in Oslo, Norway.
At the Fourth Session of Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee (INC-4) for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, four in-session documents were put forward to propose provisions or annexes relating to chemicals of concern, problematic and avoidable plastic products, and product design. The purpose of the WWF roundtable was to discuss these concepts and identify possible opportunities to merge or join the proposals. The proponents of the proposals were Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom & Northern Island, and the European Union. Many countries co-sponsored the proposals, including the Cook Islands co-sponsoring the Norwegian proposal on chemicals of concern.
At the roundtable, the proponents presented the proposals to focus on the conceptual approach, rationale and logic. The participants then considered how the proposals can be merged, what were the areas of similarities and differences. Further discussions on the core obligations noted what chemicals (in plastic production) and plastic products can be banned, phased down, or regulated for redesigning then phase out at a later date.
Furthermore, the participants discussed what a criteria would look like for chemicals of concern, problematic and avoidable plastics. An initial listing was brainstormed to guide the discussions on producing a criteria that may be adopted at the next negotiation session. The participants discussed gradual strengthening, including criteria for further listing. This relates to future amendments from when the treaty has been ratified and decisions made by an established Conference of the Parties.
Finally, the participants discussed a way forward on how the merged proposal can be elevated for consideration by the wider member states. The group will follow up discussions at the intersessional work by member states in Bangkok this August 2024, before meeting again for the fifth negotiation session in Busan, in November 2024.
The participants concluded discussions on the roadmap to Ottawa and how to get a meaningful treaty at the fourth and fifth sessions. The participants reflected on the scenario note released by the INC-4 Chair, focusing on the introduction of a new format for the contact groups and a legal drafting group to advance the text negotiations, and the need to obtain a mandate on formal intersessional work by the INC.
Halatoa Fua stated ‘this roundtable provided excellent value for the Cook Islands delegation to strengthen its negotiation strategy and build alliance with other member states to ensure an ambitious and effective plastic pollution treaty is adopted.’
