Kenya has officially joined the High Ambition Coalition (HAC), a coalition of 67 nations dedicated to the urgent elimination of plastic pollution.
As the world grapples with the escalating crisis of plastic waste, Kenya’s commitment comes at a pivotal moment in the negotiations for a global plastics treaty.
The urgency for action is palpable as the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) is set to convene in Busan in November 2024.
This coalition aims to establish a robust international legally binding instrument that promotes a comprehensive and circular approach to plastics management.
As the world grapples with the escalating crisis of plastic waste, Kenya’s commitment comes at a pivotal moment in the negotiations for a global plastics treaty.
The urgency for action is palpable as the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) is set to convene in Busan in November 2024.
This gathering will serve as a critical platform for nations to finalize discussions on a comprehensive and effective treaty that can effectively combat the plastic pollution crisis.
Gerance Mutwol, a plastic campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, applauded Kenya’s alignment with the HAC, emphasizing the need for the government to further demonstrate its commitment by endorsing the Bridge to Busan Declaration. “As Kenya demonstrates commitment and political goodwill towards a robust treaty, we urge the Kenyan government to champion a treaty that prioritizes reducing plastic production by at least 75% by 2040, based on the 2019 baseline,” Mutwol stated.
Such action is critical to maintaining global temperatures below 1.5°C and safeguarding the health and rights of communities worldwide.
Kenya is not alone in this endeavor; the nation stands alongside pioneers like Rwanda, which has already made significant strides towards eliminating single-use plastics.
The call to action is clear: Kenya must strive to eradicate plastic pollution throughout its entire lifecycle.
This includes eliminating problematic single-use plastics, such as sachets, and transitioning towards a just and inclusive low-carbon, zero-waste, toxic-free, reuse-oriented economy.
The urgency of the global plastics crisis cannot be overstated. Plastics are not only a blight on natural landscapes but also pose significant risks to human health and the environment.
The Global Plastics Treaty represents a unique opportunity for nations to come together and address this pressing challenge.
Governments across Africa and around the globe must recognize the importance of a unified approach in tackling plastic pollution.
