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Within the framework of the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues Road to Busan event series, and ahead of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5), this webinar presented entry points with biodiversity-positive language within ��and launched an information brief, "Biodiversity in the Global Plastics Treaty."

Karine SIEGWART, Senior Policy Advisor, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� noted, “The global community is at a crucial moment, facing the current and future impacts of plastic pollution, pollution more broadly, biodiversity loss, and climate change while designing international instruments to address these impacts. The ILBI offers the opportunity for State Parties to adopt robust and holistic terms that acknowledge the fundamental connections between plastic pollution and biodiversity loss as intertwined issues that must be addressed at all levels to align with both the terms of the CBD and the GBF.”

Alexandra HARRINGTON, Chair, Plastic Pollution Task Force, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� WCEL, encouraged the State Parties to “advance the interlinkages between plastic pollution and biodiversity in the context of treaty regimes generally, including international trade law. These interlinkages would also connect with the discussions surrounding safe, environmentally sound, and nature positive alternatives and substitutes for plastics.”

The future Global Plastics Treaty regulates plastic pollution and related topics which are also touched upon by several other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). Language supporting coherence and authorising international cooperation between the Treaty’s governance system, and those of other treaty regimes, especially the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

In this regard, three options for entry points, separately or in combination, would be beneficial to the strength of the future Global plastics Treaty:

• Option 1. At a minimum, maintain specific language in articles to draw out biodiversity protection and community inclusion, and mainstream the term “Biodiversity” and/or “Ecosystems” across a number of relevant articles in the ILBI, based on the Compilation of draft text of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (), issued by the INC Secretariat on July 1, 2024.
• Option 2. Add specific biodiversity language in the “International Cooperation” Article to further strengthen coherence with other MEAs.
• Option 3. Insert a dedicated, new article on “Biodiversity Aspects” that promotes implementation and compliance to advance nature positive approaches under international and national laws, and facilitates future COP decisions.

There is language already in the Compilation Text which would enable biodiversity protection and community inclusion. Thus, and to allow future COP decisions considering biodiversity aspects, it is recommended that the future ILBI contain as entry points at a minimum the text as noted for Option 1, to ensure that biodiversity is the subject of specific measures included in the ILBI and is also mainstreamed throughout the key operative terms of the treaty.

Falco MARTIN, Programme Officer, Marine Plastics, Fauna & Flora, addressed scientific evidence as to why biodiversity needs to be included in the future Global Plastics Treaty, noting that "a full lifecycle approach covering both physical and chemical impacts of plastic pollution, with scientifically informed measures should be core to the Treaty. There is an urgent need for upstream solutions to reduce the flows of plastics into the environment - these must be locally appropriate and must reduce the negative impacts on local communities."

Tobias CAPEL, Marine Plastics Officer, St. Helena National Trust (Video message) shared the local community perspective of a small island state, by outlining what the Treaty could do for St Helena. The key challenges of the biodiverse-rich island include high costs of importation, waste management issues, and international pollution washing up to St. Helena. He noted that a Treaty could, "lift the voices of UK Overseas Territories, enhance biodiversity, and empower small island states with effective EPR and cap and phase down of plastic production."

Anna VON REBAY, CEO, Ocean Vision Legal, Gallifrey Foundation, spoke to the points of the obligations of States from a legal perspective. A key point she emphasised was that "a commission of small island states (COSIS) advisory option found that 'States shall take all measures consistent with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that are necessary to prevent, reduce, and control marine environment pollution from any source.' " The legal obligations of States, elements of pollution regulations, due diligence needs, the precautionary approach, and use of the best scientific evidence available were detailed.

Martina MÜLLER, Programme Management Officer for Partnerships at UNDRR, emphasized the critical role of nature in disaster risk reduction (DRR), describing it as "humanity's first line of defense against hazards." She highlighted how the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework recognizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and DRR, and underscored the vital role ecosystems play in mitigating disaster risks. She expressed concern about how plastic pollution is compromising these ecosystems, impairing essential services, including nature-based solutions for DRR.

Paul LAMIN, Environmental Protection Agency, Sierra Leone reflected upon the importance of nature-positive approaches and the importance of biodiversity in a global plastics treaty. "Challenges to manage plastic pollution in Sierra Leone include a demand for Single Use Plastics, lack of alternatives to plastics, and lack of potable drinking water." Moving towards INC-5, he noted that support for low-income countries, prioritisation of critical issues, and the adoption of a financial mechanism were crucial.

Matthew GOLLOCK, Programme Lead, Aquatic Species and Policy Conservation Programmes, ZSL wrapped up the conversation with the Q&A discussing an important question on plastics alternatives and how these may have negative biodiversity impacts to be aware of.��

The inclusion of biodiversity-specific articles and terms in the ILBI would advance efforts to break the silos and support a common approach under different agreements and organizations and thus achieve a better outcome for nature, people and the planet. To facilitate future COP decisions and resulting implementation actions, an entry point for decisions or amendments is needed in the ILBI, for instance in the Preambular text, Scope, Objective, International Cooperation or other articles. Including biodiversity in the text agreed at INC-5 will ensure the ability of future COPs to effectively address the triple planetary crises, make linkages to existing obligations under other MEAs, and will allow for inclusion of related scientific advancements.

Many thanks to the team at the Geneva Environment Network and to our dedicated speakers for their keen insights and presentations.

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Links and more information

The Geneva Environment Network Road to Busan | Biodiversity in the Future Global Plastics Treaty:��

• Reinforcing Commitments to Nature and Communities: Options to include Biodiversity in the future Global Plastics Treaty��| ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� World Commission on Environmental Law (������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� WCEL), Fauna & Flora, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) | 15 October 2024
• ��| UNDRR | Septemeber 2024
• ��| UNDRR | March 2024

Contacts

You can reach out to [email protected] to reach Dr. Karine Siegwart, Senior Policy Advisor and Dr. Alexandra Harrington, WCEL Chair, Task Force on Plastic Pollution | ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� WCEL

ZSL: Dr Matthew Gollock, Programme Lead – Aquatic Species and Policy, Conservation Programmes |

Fauna & Flora: Catherine Weller, Director, Global Policy, Fauna & Flora |

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Geneva Environment Network - Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues��Various actors in Geneva are engaged in rethinking the way we manufacture, use, trade and manage plastics. The����aim at outreaching and creating synergies among these actors, highlighting efforts made by intergovernmental organizations, governments, businesses, the scientific community, civil society and individuals in the hope of informing and creating synergies and coordinated actions. The dialogues highlight what the different stakeholders in Geneva and beyond have achieved at all levels, and present the latest research and governance options.

Fauna & Flora hosts its ��with resources, their position paper for the Treaty, and more.��Communities around the world are impacted daily by plastic pollution in terms of health and livelihoods, damage to sensitive ecosystems and broad socio-economic implications. The development of a Treaty to tackle plastic pollution offers a unique opportunity to protect the environment, humans and biodiversity from the harmful effects of plastic pollution.

ZSL is��calling for an that is driven by and representative of the needs of local actors and effectively protects biodiversity. With over 10 years of experience working on the impacts of plastic pollution on wildlife and communities, we are contributing scientific expertise, data and knowledge to ensure that the treaty text is strengthened, and implementation mechanisms designed, to deliver in the following areas: Biodiversity protection, Local community voices, Science-based solutions, and Accountability and compliance.