Blog

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.