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Plastics in construction: a Norwegian perspective

Some of the first plastics were synthesized as early as 1870. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the global plastic industry began to take shape with production rapidly growing, a trend that has continued unabated. At this time, Norway, like many other countries, began to incorporate plastics into construction materials (see diagram). The use of plastic products in the building and construction sector has evolved from a few products and options in the 1950s, to becoming more common during the 1970s. Since then, the amount of plastic used within the construction industry have grown exponentially.

Is access to data a barrier to achieving sustainability in the plastic value chain?

The world is in desperate need of a treaty that will end plastic pollution. Can better data be part of the solution?

Recap day 6 - INC-3 'The one where the views were not reflected’.

After an early evening on Friday night – meaning the session was closed at 21:30 rather than 22:00. Saturday began with high hopes and ambitions to ensure all contact groups would be able to finish before the evening’s originally planned Plenary which was later moved to today (19/11).

Recap day 5 – INC3 – “The one where the focus was to get a new draft text ready”

The Nairobi spirit was alive and well the morning of the fifth day of negotiations, Friday the 17th of November 2023.

Day 4 recap INC-3 – The calm before the storm

After four days of negotiations have come and gone, the metaphor of the calm before the storm is strong. Throughout the week thus far, there have been times when the sun is shining bright on the UNEP compound, and five minutes later there is heavy rain with a breeze. This is similar to what has been happening throughout the contact groups.

Day 3 recap INC-3 - “The one where we spent 13 hours at the UN building in Nairobi, Kenya”

We have now observed three full days of negotiations towards a treaty to stop plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.

Recap of Day 2 at INC: The third session on a treaty to end plastic pollution

It was with eager anticipation that the morning of the second day of negotiations in the third session of the treaty to end plastic pollution would result in the establishment of contact groups.

Recap of Day 1: The third session of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) on a treaty to end plastic pollution

“This is the home of humanity – where we all began.” Ending the high-level plenary on the first morning the speech from His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya

Let the third round of negotiations begin – with a Zero Draft as a guide!

November 13th, 2023 – the air is damp in Nairobi, the lines to get through security are long, and the negotiations are starting – this time with what is called a Zero-draft of the future treaty in hand, with five main parts - prepared by the Chair Gustavo Meza-Cuadra Velasquez from Peru with the support of the secretariat. The official name of the meeting of states here in Nairobi this week is the “3rd Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution, Including in the Marine Environment” - INC-3 in short. And it’s the third of five meetings to negotiate this treaty to stop plastic pollution, and only one year left to do it in according to the official plan.

A member state-driven process: Closing of the second session of the INC to form the treaty to end plastic pollution.

In the final moments of INC2 at nearly 22:00 on Friday the 2nd, the chair of the INC presented one final remark from French writer Victor Hugo; “It is sad to think that nature speaks, and human beings do not listen. When we listen to nature and we act, we can make progress.”

Summary of day 4 of INC2 – Contentious points in the “potential elements” document on the road towards a Zero Draft

During IGC2, you will hear delegates refer to the “potential elements” document fairly often. This was a document created in the intercessional period between INC1 and INC2 and was based upon the input received after INC1 on what Member States, Regional groups, and Stakeholders on what they expect to see in the future treaty.

May the odds be ever in the environment’s favor – let the substantive negotiations begin [or not]

On the third day of negotiations during the second session of the Intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC2), the hope was that the negotiators would move forward on the actual negotiations after two days of intense discussions around the draft Rules of Procedure - specifically rule 38.1 (see blog post from day 2).

Everybody wants to RULE the [plastics] world

Discussions from the second day of the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) on a potential treaty to end plastic pollution

“Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen”

Polite but tense (and politicized) discussions during the first day of the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2).

Governance report

Plastic pollution has become one of the most significant environmental and societal challenges we face today, in which excessive production and reliance on single-use and disposable plastics have resulted in widespread environmental degradation.

Serious games that give serious results

Welcome to this introduction of ‘Serious Plastic Game: PLASTICENE’ – a serious game about the sustainable use of plastic packaging. Feel like being launched into the seat of the prime minister, responding to large-scale events, making policies and governance strategies? If so, this short blog post is today’s must-read for you.

The road towards a plastic treaty

What’s happening in Nairobi and how will it affect me?

Why everyone should be aware of what’s happening at UNEA-5.2

Currently, more than 11 million metric tons of plastic are flowing into the ocean each year. Despite the exponential growth in voluntary initiatives, national and regional regulations to tackle plastic pollution, there is no sign that leakage rates are slowing.

Do we really not recycle all types of plastics?

The short answer is, no we don't. Unfortunately. There are various reasons for that, and I will try to give a short overview of some of the main ones.

Norway's largest private environmental fund

Have you ever wondered what is behind plastic bags cost? Every time you purchase a plastic bag at a shop, half a kroner (50 øre) become allocated to the Norwegian Retailers’ Environmental Fund (Handelens Miljøfond). Even though half a kroner does not seem to be a big deal, the aggregation of all halves adds up to the largest private environmental fund in Norway.

What we know about plastic flows in Norway

As we can see around us, plastic has become omnipresent and a major part of the products we use today have one or another form of plastic in them.