In a letter to Defra minister Emma Hardy, the EFRA Committee set out a series of recommendations that it hopes the government will heed ahead of international treaty negotiations taking place in Geneva in August aimed at reaching a Global Plastics Treaty.
The move follows the evidence session it held on the subject on 8 July, when MPs took evidence relating to the upcoming treaty discussions.
In the letter, MPs said that it is vital that the negotiations reach an agreement which includes targets on reducing the production of plastics, a topic that has prevented an agreement during previous negotiations.
“We are convinced that legally binding targets for reducing production of primary plastics are essential if the tide is to be turned on plastic pollution,” the letter said.
The MPs added that the government should refuse to sign any agreement which lacks an element focused around reducing plastic production.
The letter also recommends that the UK advocates for harmonised global design standards aimed at maximising reusability and recyclability of plastic products and minimising environmental impacts.
Chair of the EFRA Committee, Alistair Carmichael MP, commented: “In 2022, our predecessor committee found that global plastic waste was forecast to almost triple by 2060. At the time, it welcomed the fact that the then Government had signed up to the UN’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, to reach a legally binding agreement to address the problem.
“It is unfortunate that the scheduled final round of talks in November failed to reach an agreement. As we look ahead to the talks in Geneva in August, it is essential that our Government pushes for the inclusion of targets to reduce the production of plastic and it should refuse to sign any treaty that does not contain this key commitment.
“During our gathering of evidence, we were disturbed to hear that independent scientists taking part in the treaty negotiations can face significant pressure and, in some cases, even reported threats. The UK delegation must champion the highest standards of openness and transparency at the negotiations, and it should call out any behaviour witnessed which falls short of this.
“Plastic pollution is a global problem that requires international cooperation. We hope to see the talks in August achieve a bold agreement to deal with the issue and urge the UK Government to be a strong advocate for maximising ambition.”
