SWITCH-Asia

WHEN:  5 August 2024     I    TIME:  14:00 - 15:45 (Bangkok Time)    I    Platform:  ZOOM   I  Register  HERE

Background

Current global plastic production and consumption patterns, along with their growth trajectory, are unsustainable. A systemic shift toward circularity is necessary to mitigate the environmental and human health impacts. This is particularly crucial in light of the climate commitments made by states in the Paris Agreement. Given that plastics are derived from fossil fuels, the increasing production of plastics is a driver of climate change. Mandated by the UN Environment Assembly, negotiations have taken place for a Global Treaty on Plastics. This treaty will explore ways to promote sustainable plastic production and consumption, encompassing aspects such as product design, environmentally sound waste management, resource efficiency, and circular economy strategies. By doing so, it will also help mitigate the climate impacts associated with plastics.

This workshop is part of a SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component technical advisory (TA) on the Plastics Governance Engagement. The TA aims to assess the status of target countries, build capacity, and create momentum for addressing the plastics challenge from the perspective of enabling Sustainable Consumption and Production as part of a larger shift to a circular economy. This debriefing workshop will be followed by two additional workshops focusing on Financing and Chemicals of concern, for which policy briefs and deep-dives have been published or are under development.

Target Groups: SWITCH-Asia stakeholders are invited, in particular, grant projects, EU Delegations, National Focal Points, national delegations, and partner organisations and platforms.

Topics:

The duration of the workshop is 105 minutes. It is divided into three parts:

• Part I: Update on the INC Process

• Part II: Intersessional work – background knowledge and implications

• Part III: Outlook and priorities

Why Join 

• Receive updates from the latest developments of INC-4 in Ottawa, Canada in April 2024.

• Learn more about the priorities of countries in the Asian/Pacific region.

• Get a glimpse on the intersessional work ahead: discussion topics and timing of two ad hoc expert groups.

• Gain a deeper understanding of two of the issues discussed in the ad hoc expert groups: chemicals of concern and financing options for the Global Agreement.

• Have questions answered regarding the negotiation process and substantial issues.

• Discuss information needs.

• Outlook: Set priorities for future research and support.

Agenda