Some 143 fossil fuel and chemical industry “lobbyists” have registered to attend the global plastic treaty negotiations in Kenya, according to a non-profit concerned that the delegates will exert an undue influence upon the proceedings and force lower ambition.
The number of lobbyists at the third session of negotiations marked a 36% increase from the previous session in June, according to analysis led by US-headquartered Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).
Fossil fuel and chemical lobbyists outnumbered the 64 delegates from small island developing states in the Pacific by more than two to one, CIEL pointed out.
Government representatives are meeting in Nairobi this week for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)-overseen global plastic treaty process. They aim to tackle the plastic crisis on land and sea with a comprehensive approach to the full lifecycle of plastic.
“The fossil fuel and petrochemical industries are heavily resisting planet-saving measures in the global plastics treaty,” said Greenpeace’s delegation head, Graham Forbes, in a press release.
“Their growing presence in the negotiations is very telling. A strong and ambitious agreement that will cut plastic production by at least 75% by 2040 means they will need to find another way to satisfy shareholders,” said Forbes.
UNEP MUST “TAKE ACTION”
Gothenburg University’s Bethanie Carney Almroth, a professor in ecotoxicology, said: “Now it is time for UNEP to take action.”
“They must adopt a strong conflict of interest policy, including an accountability framework, protect spaces around the negotiations from industry influence, and guarantee seats for indigenous knowledge holders and independent scientists.”
“Only then can we guarantee a process that lays the groundwork for the best policy outcome possible.”
The fossil fuel industry has long viewed plastics as a “lifeline”, CIEL said.
Between 2000-19, global plastic polymer production doubled, reaching 460 million tonnes per year. Production of the material is expected to almost triple by 2050, compared with 2019 levels.
METHODOLOGY
CIEL analysed a provisional list of participants released by UNEP. It defined fossil fuel and chemical lobbyists as those listed as representing corporations in the sector.
The non-profit also included in its calculations representatives from organisations that have received “significant support” from those industries, or have industry figures in their governance, or have a track record of lobbying for pro-industry positions.
The estimate is “likely to be conservative” as the UNEP list does not include all details of delegate affiliations.
Other plastics interests represented at the event, but excluded from the analysis, include personnel working for consumer goods companies, CIEL said.
Businesses cannot register directly to attend, so often appear with the delegation of trade associations or countries.
By Thomas Cox – t.cox@carbon-pulse.com
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