Environmental experts and advocates now want the sixth UN Assembly to take a decisive stand and phase out fossil fuels.
They say fossil fuels are the drivers of both the plastics and climate crises.
Addressing the press, the environmental experts and advocates took a hard stance during the opening day of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) on Monday.
Hellen Dena, Project Lead of the Pan-Africa Plastics Project at Greenpeace Africa, emphasised the need for a robust Global Plastics Treaty.
"Our planet is drowning in plastic, a crisis intricately linked to the fossil fuel industry. Member states are allowing fossil fuel interests to drive the treaty negotiations and water down their ambition. Ending the corporate addiction to plastic is an important part of moving away from fossil fuels, combating climate change, pollution, and protecting communities," Dena said.
Amos Wemanya, Senior Advisor for Renewable Energy and Just Transitions at PowerShift Africa, highlighted the devastating impact of fossil fuels on the climate.
"Fossil fuels are failing to power the African continent. Despite decades of coal, oil and gas extraction, 600 million Africans have been left without power. The era of fossil fuels must end now if we are to avert catastrophic climate change. We urge member states at UNEA-6 to commit to a rapid and just transition to renewable energy."
Seble Samuel, Head of Africa Campaigns and Advocacy for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, called for the adoption of an international treaty to equitably phase out fossil fuels and deliver a financed global just transition to distributed renewable energy systems.
"The plastics crisis reinforces the need for a binding Global Plastics Treaty as well as a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that can tackle the root cause of both crises — fossil fuels. An international fossil fuel treaty is not only necessary, it is urgent. We need binding commitments to phase out fossil fuels and ensure a just transition for affected communities, particularly in Africa, that diversifies economies, deploys renewables, builds development alternatives and puts finance, technology, justice and equity at the centre."
Plastic production is closely tied to the fossil fuel industry, primarily through the extraction and processing of petrochemicals.
The energy-intensive process of converting petrochemicals into plastics contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
As global fossil fuel demand is projected to decline, the fossil fuel industry is eyeing plastics as a lifeline. As the demand for plastic continues to grow, so does the need for fossil fuels, thus increasing emissions and accelerating the climate emergency.
Greenpeace Africa, PowerShift Africa, and the Fossil-Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative call on UNEA-6 member states to formulate and adopt a comprehensive and binding Global Plastic Treaty that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal.
They also call on member states to endorse and implement an international fossil fuel treaty to fairly phase out fossil fuel production and support a just transition towards sustainable and renewable energy sources.
The clarion call to phase out fossil fuels was made during climate talks in Dubai last December.
Cop28 adopted a call on countries to transition away from fossil fuels for the first time in 30 years of UN climate negotiations.
In a historic milestone at UNEA-5 in 2022 in Nairobi, UN member states endorsed a resolution to end plastic pollution by forging an internationally legally binding agreement by 2024.
As of last year, 175 countries had adopted the resolution, End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic, including its production, design, and disposal.
The instrument will be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic.
In 2017, Kenya’s Ministry of Environment banned the use of plastic carrier bags through a gazette notice dated February 27.
The ban came into effect in August of that year.
Today, being found in possession of plastics attracts a fine of between Sh2 million and Sh4 million, or a jail term of between one and two years, or both.
Before 2017, about 100 million plastic bags were used in Kenyan supermarkets every year, with severe consequences for the environment.
But despite the ban, plastics are still on the market.
Nema says banned plastics get into the country through porous borders, as some countries have yet to ban them.
It is suspected that the plastics come from Tanzania, Somalia, and Uganda.
The authority has faced challenges in Garissa, Mandera, Moyale, Busia, Taita Taveta, Namanga, and other border posts.
Nema has been calling for uniformity in the ban.
On June 5, 2019, Kenya also banned single-use plastics on beaches, national parks, forests, and conservation areas.
The ban prohibits visitors from carrying single-use plastic water bottles, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, and straws into national parks, forests, beaches and conservation areas.