Plastics = environmental and social injustice. Plastic pollution is rampant and the communities bearing the brunt of the crisis are the least responsible. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Image credit: Greenpeace)

The plastic lifecycle is a barrier to every Sustainable Development Goal (UNEP), and unfairly impacts the ocean and marginalized communities.

Plastics pose not only environmental challenges but also threaten our climate, ocean health, and human rights.

Ocean Justice means protecting the ocean, safeguarding human rights, and progressing social equity.  

We call upon member states to advance ocean justice in the Global Plastics Treaty. To do otherwise, risks exacerbating injustices worldwide, with undeniable implications for people, the ocean, climate, and the planet. 

We specifically ask negotiators to: 

• Protect human rights throughout the entire plastic lifecycle, ensuring every provision aligns with human rights in the treaty text.
• Put justice first to ensure this treaty protects the ocean, safeguards human rights, and progresses social equity.
• These calls to action include: binding provisions to curb plastic production, prevent and eliminate pollution, ensure a just transition, and increase transparency and participation of Small Island Developing States, Indigenous Peoples, the Global South, youth, and informal waste pickers, among other vulnerable groups. 

Join Us

Together, we can make a difference! Sign this petition and help us urge member state representatives participating in the INC process to support the inclusion of justice and human rights in the Global Plastics Treaty. Let's work together to create a cleaner, safer environment for all.

 

MORE INFORMATION:

What is the Global Plastics Treaty?

The global production of plastics has increased from 2 million tons in 1950 to over 400 million tons in 2022 and is expected to triple by 2050. The direct impacts of plastic production and pollution are well-documented across human and environmental health. Further, plastic production contributes to other planetary crises, including climate change. Experts have made it clear that urgent action is needed to curb our consumption of plastics.

In March 2022, 195 countries endorsed a resolution to forge an international legally-binding treaty to end plastic pollution by the end of 2024. The resolution, based on three initial draft resolutions from various nations, establishes an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), which began its work in 2022, with the ambition of completing a draft global legally binding agreement by the end of 2024. The Global Plastics Treaty aims include multiple approaches to address the full life-cycle of plastics from product design to disposal. The current Revised Zero Draft, prepared by the Secretariat of the INC can be found here.

Advancing Justice and Human Rights in the Global Plastics Treaty

The Global Plastics Treaty offers an opportunity to tackle worldwide injustices. Yet, the current treaty text overlooks justice and human rights concerns.  Learn more from ELC’s youth-led report: ‘Advancing Ocean Justice in the Global Plastics Treaty,’ available here: ​​https://www.earthlawcenter.org/ocean-plastic. This report emphasizes the importance of ocean justice, encompassing ocean health, human rights, and social equity, in shaping effective plastic governance strategies.

Other Ways to Take Action

Learn more about our #Youth4PlasticJustice campaign and other ways to get involved at https://www.earthecho.org/news/support-the-inclusion-of-justice-and-human-rights-in-the-global-plastics-treaty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EarthEcho International: EarthEcho International is an international nonprofit that envisions a world where every individual, from all backgrounds and experiences, has the opportunity and tools to create a healthy and thriving environment. EarthEcho’s mission is to build a global youth movement to protect and restore our ocean planet, a critical part of creating a sustainable and equitable future for all. Established by explorer and advocate Philippe Cousteau, Jr, in honor of his father, Philippe Cousteau Sr., and grandfather, legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, EarthEcho reaches more than 2 million people in 146 countries, providing original education content, immersive training and leadership experiences, and active collaboration networks free of charge for youth and the teachers and community leaders who work with them. Our signature programs equip individuals and groups to identify local needs, develop plans, and take action starting in their own communities as part of a larger, connected global network of changemakers.

Earth Law Center: ​​Earth Law Center (ELC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to advance ecocentric laws, policies, and governance for the well-being of the Earth Community. ELC aims to mitigate the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and degradation of ecosystems and to restore a flourishing Earth Community on behalf of present and future generations of all species. ELC is a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Plastic Pollution Coalition, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the High Seas Alliance.