South African Government Engages Plastic Industry in Pollution Combatting Efforts.

Cape Town: The South African government is actively engaging the plastic industry and organized labor in its efforts to tackle plastic pollution, highlighting the importance of consultation in developing measures to combat this environmental challenge. The initiative comes as South Africa backs the creation of an internationally legally binding instrument aimed at addressing plastic pollution.

According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, addressed a virtual stakeholder meeting to outline South Africa’s negotiating position for the upcoming 5th Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on Plastic Pollution. The session is set to take place in Busan, Republic of Korea, from November 24 to December 1, 2024.

During her address, Swarts emphasized the need for a “just transition” in addressing plastic pollution, which prioritizes the needs of the most affected groups, including the poor, women, people with disab
ilities, and the youth. She stressed that decisions must be grounded in scientific evidence regarding the environmental impact of plastic products.

Swarts also reiterated South Africa’s support for the development of a global legally binding instrument to combat plastic pollution, as initially stated at the Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in early 2022. The country recognizes its constitutional duty to protect both the environment and human health, and aims to address plastic pollution through a comprehensive approach aligned with the National Waste Management Strategy, 2020.

Domestically, South Africa focuses on enhancing municipal waste management services, implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for plastic waste, and promoting public awareness and cleanup campaigns. These efforts are designed to prevent plastic from entering the environment and to foster a circular economy within the plastic industry.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the importance of tr
ansparency in sharing information about chemicals used in plastic production, particularly in applications involving food contact. The anticipated international instrument is expected to necessitate new domestic regulatory controls and may require financial support mechanisms to aid developing countries in implementing necessary measures.

Swarts underscored the significance of INC-5 as a platform for discussing various obligatory measures and options, advocating for financial mechanisms to provide necessary resources for developing countries in the fight against plastic pollution.