THE interests of a “select few” must not outweigh the suffering caused by plastic pollution in countries like Fiji and other Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), says Ministry of Climate Change and Environment permanent secretary Dr Sivendra Michael.
Dr Michael is part of a delegation representing Fiji at the fourth session of the intergovernmental negotiations committee (INC4) in Canada.
However, Fiji’s push for a globally binding proposal has been met with resistance from plastic and petrochemical-producing countries.
“Fiji has been proposing measures such as phasing out ‘problematic’ single-use plastics and banning certain chemical additives that could carry health risks,” Dr Michael said.
“We have only seven months and one negotiation meeting left to agree to the provisions of the treaty. We cannot afford to indulge the interests of a select few because they have nothing to lose, and we have everything to lose.”
If enacted, this global agreement on plastic pollution would be the first of its kind to bring countries together to fight plastic pollution.
Dr Michael said the scientific coalition had consistently referenced that less than 10 per cent of about 350 million tonnes of plastic thrown out each year were recycled, and the remainder was left “to foul the land, seas, and human and animal health”.
“The scientific evidence speaks to the scale of the challenge and the scope of proposed remedies required.
“This would mean more than merely giving up plastic straws and shopping bags. As with most of humanity’s self-inflicted crises, it will require drastic changes to our ways of life. We need to alter our consumption habits and end our throwaway culture.”
He said he was proud of his team for continuing to advocate for an end to plastic pollution.
“We came here for a purpose, and we know that a job half-done is a job not done. We also know that time is against us in terms of finalising the instrument and how much more the planet can take.”
Other members of the Fiji delegation include Senimili Nakora, Kritika Raj, Iva Josivini, Andrew Paris, Alfred Ralifo and Rufino Varea.
