Inuit org urges stronger action on plastic pollution after global talks stall
Inuit leaders are urging stronger action on plastic pollution after the latest round of global talks aimed at creating a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution ended early Monday without a final agreement.
“It is deeply worrying, that states are unable to agree on such crucial negotiations,” Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Chair Sara Olsvig said in a statement.
“This unfortunately displays the same dysfunction as we saw at the COP29 on climate change, where text on the rights of Indigenous Peoples was removed and ambitions to act on climate change lacked.
“We call on states to repair these dysfunctions so we can move forward with the required urgency and agree to a strong treaty text that truly addresses plastic pollution for the sake of humanity.”
The Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5) was held in Busan, South Korea from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1.
The goal of the gathering was to finalize the text of an international treaty to combat plastic pollution, including its impact on marine ecosystems, and have the treaty ready for signature at a ministerial meeting in Spring 2025.
But no consensus was reached as negotiators faced roadblocks on everything from the negotiation process and procedural issues to the wording of the eventual treaty.
Arctic disproportionately affected: ICC
In addition, ICC said observers, including Indigenous Peoples, were frequently denied access to key meetings and were not allowed to participate in discussions.
At several points, observers were excluded from sessions without explanation, raising concerns about the transparency and efficiency of the process, the organization added.
ICC, represents the approximately 180,000 Inuit in Canada; Greenland; Chukotka, Russia; and in Alaska in the United States, and says the longer the world is without a treaty, the worse it is for the Arctic and people who live there.
“The Arctic is disproportionately affected by many stresses: climate change, pollution, increasing industrial development, and it is projected to also be a sink for plastic pollution, with no ability to deal with it adequately.,” ICC Vice Chair Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk said in a final statement at the closing plenary.
“Arctic species from cod to fulmars to belugas have been found with elevated volumes of plastic in their stomach and it is likely to get worse, negatively impacting our food security and our right to a clean, healthy, sustainable environment.”
Canada disappointed by outcome
In a statement this week, Canada’s Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said he was disappointed an agreement had not been reached but stressed that Ottawa will continue to push for a global treaty.
“While we were not able to reach a deal this time, Canada’s commitment to an ambitious deal has not wavered,” he said. “The fight against plastic pollution internationally is not over, and we will keep pushing toward the goal of an ambitious and inclusive treaty.”
Guilbeault also emphasized Canada’s efforts to make sure Indigenous voices were included in the talks. He pointed out that the country had been consulting with National Indigenous Organizations as part of its larger commitment to tackle plastic pollution, both at home and around the world.
Talks on the global treaty will continue in 2025.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Cotton fibres, microplastics pervade Eastern Arctic, study finds, The Canadian Press
Finland: Citizens’ initiative prompts Finnish lawmakers to consider microplastics ban, Yle News
Greenland/Denmark: Greenland and Denmark finalize cooperation agreement on marine pollution response, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Arctic Council group lobs GPS-bugged capsules into Atlantic to track litter trajectories in the North, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Urgent action needed to protect Arctic Ocean, WWF says, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian Navy sends clean-up team to Arctic trash dump, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Swedish raft made from trash draws attention to plastic pollution, Radio Sweden
United States: Industry launches campaign to free oceans from plastic… how serious is it?, Alaska Public Media
