Tackling the Dual Threat: Fossil fuels, plastics, and climate change at UNEA-6

KENYA – On the inaugural day of the 6th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), environmental advocates joined forces to emphasize the critical need for decisive action in tackling the interconnected crises of climate change and plastic pollution, both fueled by the fossil fuel industry.

Hellen Kahaso Dena, leading the Pan-Africa Plastics Project at Greenpeace Africa, underscored the urgent necessity for a robust Global Plastics Treaty to address the overwhelming plastic crisis.

She highlighted how corporate interests within the fossil fuel industry are influencing treaty negotiations, diluting its effectiveness.

Dena stressed that combating plastic pollution is integral to breaking free from fossil fuel dependency and safeguarding communities from environmental harm.

Amos Wemanya, a Senior Advisor at Powershift Africa, shed light on the detrimental impact of fossil fuels on Africa’s climate and energy landscape.

Despite decades of extraction, millions of Africans remain without access to power. Wemanya urged member states to commit to a swift transition to renewable energy to avert further climate catastrophes.

Seble Samuel, Head of Africa Campaigns and Advocacy for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, emphasized the urgent need for an international treaty to phase out fossil fuels equitably.

Such a treaty would not only address the root causes of the plastic and climate crises but also ensure a just transition to renewable energy, particularly benefiting African communities.

Plastic production’s close ties to the fossil fuel industry exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions, further intensifying the climate emergency.

The growing plastic production is a major problem for communities in Africa that are experiencing some of the damaging impacts of the climate crisis: flooding, sea level rise and more extreme weather events like hurricanes.

As global fossil fuel demand declines, the industry increasingly relies on plastics to sustain its profits, perpetuating environmental degradation.

Greenpeace Africa, Powershift Africa, and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative urge UNEA-6 member states to adopt a comprehensive Global Plastic Treaty, addressing the entire plastic lifecycle.

Additionally, they call for endorsement and implementation of an international fossil fuel treaty to facilitate a fair transition towards sustainable energy sources, thus mitigating the harmful impacts of fossil fuel production on both the environment and communities.

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