Nothing about ending plastic pollution is simple. This seemed to be the theme of the day as delegates reconvened for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Meeting in subgroups throughout the day, they debated what measures to take to address plastic pollution, and how to ensure those measures can be implemented.
Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.
Discussing the Revised Draft Text, as well as streamlined parts of it, they considered a number of important matters that could be included in the new treaty. Subgroups met throughout the day, addressing:
- Preliminary provisions, including the objective and scope;
- Financing;
- Fishing gear;
- Capacity building, technical assistance and technology transfer;
- Institutional arrangements and final provisions; and
- Technical issues, including on micro- and nanoplastics, trade in listed chemicals, polymers and products, and exemptions.
In their discussions on trade in listed chemicals, polymers and products, they debated on how to best implement global/harmonized rules prohibiting the export/import of chemicals, polymers, and microplastics controlled by the future instrument. Should these treaty provisions also apply to countries that do not eventually sign on to the treaty? To what extent?
On finance, delegates dealt with a provision calling for the imposition of a global plastic pollution fee targeting virgin plastic polluters, among others. Much as a fee may seem like a welcome and innovative addition to a treaty aiming to curb plastic pollution, it is not as simple as it sounds. A fee like this could raise the cost of producing important plastic products, which in turn would likely be passed down to the consumer, and the ripple effects could create further socio-economic inequality between those who can afford to buy the products and those who could not. “Nothing is straightforward,” said one delegate, roundly against any plastic pollution fee.
In the afternoon, two Subgroups engaged in verifying the streamlined texts prepared by their respective Co-Facilitators. Delegates raised questions on the streamlining methodology applied, and in some cases were unable to verify that the streamlined texts did in fact represent the discussions held by the Subgroups in previous sessions. After clarifying procedural issues that took a considerable amount of the allocated time, delegates made technical edits to the streamlined texts, providing suggestions into the evening.
With one day to go before Subgroup discussions are scheduled to end, many delegations are looking forward to a plenary, planned for Sunday, 28 April 2024, to get clarity on the way forward on the text.
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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For INC-4 please use: Photo by IISD/ENB - Kiara Worth
Subgroup 1.2
Delegates gather for discussions under Subgroup 1.2
Delegates refer to various texts during the session
Subgroup 1.2 Co-Facilitators Erlend Draget, Norway, and Maria Angélica Ikeda, Brazil
Delegates concentrate as difficult topics are discussed
Delegates raise their placards to speak
Subgroup 2.1
Subgroup 2.1 Co-Facilitators Naomi Namara Karekaho, Uganda, and Miguel Luís, Portugal, facilitate discussions
Delegates consult informally during the session
Multiple country placards are raised to make interventions
Delegates take a moment to congratulate South Africa on their 30 years of independence as Freedom Day is celebrated back home
Delegates listen to the deliberations
Subgroup 1.1
Delegates gather for discussions under Subgroup 1.1
Subgroup 1.1 Co-Facilitator Sara Elkhouly, Egypt
Subgroup 1.1 Co-Facilitator Julius Piercy, UK
Delegates review the text under discussion
Delegates consult
Delegates discuss the text projected on the screen
Subgroup 2.2
Delegates gather for discussions under Subgroup 2.2
Delegates from the EU consult
Subgroup 2.2 Co-Facilitator Marine Collignon, France
Delegates review the text projected on the screen
Subgroup 2.2 Co-Facilitator Danny Rahdiansyah, Indonesia
A delegate listens to the discussions from the back of the room
Subgroup 1.3
Delegates gather for discussions under Subgroup 1.3
Subgroup 1.3 Co-Facilitators Andrés Duque Solís, Colombia, and Abdulrahman bin Ali Alshehri, Saudi Arabia
Delegates from Saudi Arabia and Brazil consult
Delegates consult during the session
Discussions turn to the topic of fishing gear
Around the Venue
Family photo of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) team attending INC-4
Delegates from Iran consult
Delegates from Costa Rica consult
The EU offers an open listening session for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to share stories and offer suggestions for the negotiations
Delegates from Chile consult
Pagnibam Meba, Togo
Martina Müller, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Hussah Alhamdan, Saudi Arabia, speaks with a delegate
Delegates speak informally
Delegates enjoy a brief moment of sunshine before a rainy afternoon
Delegates visit the ENB website to keep track of the negotiations
Tadesse Amera, International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)
