29

Apr

Can there be a Working Consensus on Plastics?

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Today’s Edition

New Delhi, 29 April 2024

Amitabh Srivastava

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As the 193 nations gathered in Ottawa, Canada come to the end of their deliberations for the INC 4 Meeting on the Elimination of Plastics, what are the chances of a workable treaty this year?

In an exclusive interview Atin Biswas, senior scientist from the Centre for Science and Environment told me, "Global treaty dialogue is going as planned. There are differences among countries, especifically those big on oil, gas or Petrochem. A treaty will emerge but how strong is the question now."

Article at a Glance

 

The 193 nations at the INC 4 meeting in Ottawa are discussing the elimination of plastics, with the goal of creating a global treaty by 2024 end. However, there are disagreements among countries, particularly those with significant oil, gas, or petrochemical industries. A treaty is expected, but its strength remains uncertain.

 

Decisions at these conferences typically require consensus or a majority vote. Oil-rich nations may oppose a blanket ban due to the economic impact on plastic production. Other countries will base their stance on the severity they assign to the crisis.

 

While plastic poses dangers due to its indestructible nature, its advantages, such as lower cost, lighter weight, and longer lifespan, must also be considered. Recycling should be economically beneficial for companies responsible for this task. However, reports indicate that plastic recycling plants in the USA are struggling to meet targets or are closing down.

 

Expecting governments to solve the plastic problem alone is unrealistic. Citizens can contribute by bringing their own shopping bags, a small but meaningful step towards protecting future generations.

This is exactly what was predicted at a sort of pre-summit of the INC 4 meeting held at Prayas JAC Society about a fortnight back on the topic ", Can we live without plastics" under Prayas Manthan Manch.

Tribhuvan Singh Bisht, an expert from the Centre for Science and Environment explained how decisions are taken at such conferences.

"There has to be either a consensus on policy decisions or a majority vote. The oil-rich nations who stand to benefit the most through plastic production will oppose any such blanket ban because it affects their economy. At the same time, other countries will take their stand depending on how seriously they take the crisis", he espoused.

The vocal and informed gathering at Prayas also agreed with his line of reasoning that even though plastic poses a danger to humankind because of its indestructible nature one cannot ignore the advantages of plastic. It is cheaper, lighter than other materials and lasts longer( which is also its negative impact).

One also has to be practical when one talks of recycling. This means the cost of recycling should be beneficial to the companies that are tasked to do this.

This is true not only of India but of rich countries like the USA.

Various reports appearing in the New York Times indicate that plants for recycling plastics are either shutting down or are proving incapable of meeting the target.

Under the circumstances expecting the governments alone to finish the menace of plastics which made a huge comeback with the Corona is expecting the Sun to rise from the West, literally.

Let's do our part by simply carrying a shopping bag when going shopping as a small gesture.

Or will that be too much to expect as a small step towards our future generations?

The menace of this man-made monster called Plastic reminds me of a line from Kabir:

माटी कहे कुम्हार से तू क्या रूंधे मोय

इक दिन ऐसा आयेगा मैं रूंधूगी तोय

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