Statement by Karen Wirsig, Senior Program Manager for Plastics at Environmental Defence Canada
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – While we are disappointed that countries were unable to conclude a legally-binding agreement to stop plastic pollution today, we are heartened that support continues to grow around the world for an agreement that can effectively stop plastic pollution.
Canada showed up strong at INC 5.2, championing Indigenous rights and resisting attempts by a bloc of petroleum- and plastic-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran and the United States, to gut needed global measures to limit plastic production and phase out harmful products and toxic chemicals. This determination we witnessed reflects the distress of people in Canada about the environmental and health impacts of runaway plastic production, use and waste.
The process established for the INC (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee) has failed and Canada must now work with its allies to keep the momentum going and find a way to overcome the resistance of a small number of countries who have made it abundantly clear they have no interest in taking effective action on the growing environmental and health crisis. At the same time, Canada must pursue domestic policy aligned with the ambition it has shown on the world stage.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Alex Ross, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
