People's Global Push For Plastic Treaty Draws Millions Before Final Talks
Environmental groups are urging governments to be prepared to vote to secure necessary regulations.
BUSAN, Republic of Korea — Nearly three million people worldwide are demanding action on plastic pollution, presenting a unified call ahead of crucial treaty negotiations that begin here this week, writes Winston Mwale.
The signatures, gathered from more than 180 countries, were delivered to key officials including Rwanda Environment Management Authority Director General Juliet Kabera and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley by a coalition of environmental groups including WWF, Greenpeace, and Break Free from Plastic.
"This treaty must cover the entire plastic lifecycle," said WWF's Eirik Lindebjerg, emphasizing the need for legally binding measures.
"We simply cannot achieve this goal through fragmented actions."
Two young climate activists, Hannah Kim, 8, and Jeah Han, 12, participated in the signature presentation ceremony alongside British poet Nikita Gill.
Kim and Han previously made headlines as successful plaintiffs in a climate lawsuit against the South Korean government that established mandatory greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2031-2049.
"I hope our generation's demands to respond to the climate and plastic crisis will be heard," Kim said during the ceremony.
Graham Forbes, Greenpeace Head of Delegation, characterized the upcoming negotiations, known as INC-5, as a pivotal moment for environmental policy.
"These signatures are more than a million reasons why the world cannot continue on this path of unchecked plastic production," he said.
WWF outlined four key binding measures they consider essential: global bans on harmful plastic products, product design requirements for safe reuse and recycling, financial resource alignment for a just transition, and mechanisms to strengthen the treaty over time.
"If our planet is in danger, so is my future," said Han, highlighting the generational stakes of the negotiations.
Von Hernandez, Break Free From Plastic Global Coordinator, called for decisive action. "Anything less than this would be a regrettable missed opportunity," he said.
While WWF's Global Plastic Navigator indicates majority government support for these measures, the organisation warns against potential efforts to weaken the treaty's core provisions.
Environmental groups are urging governments to be prepared to vote to secure necessary regulations.