As global leaders convene during INC5 to negotiate the final stages of a binding international treaty on plastic pollution, Nipe Fagio, a leading environmental organization in Tanzania, joins the global community in calling for bold and decisive action. The urgency for a strong treaty resonates deeply across the globe, including in East Africa, where the effects of plastic pollution continue to undermine ecosystems, health, and livelihoods.
On November 23, 2024, over 1,500 demonstrators marched in Busan, South Korea, during the fifth meeting of the International Negotiating Committee (INC-5). This pivotal event, driven by the global Break Free from Plastic (BFFP) movement and local partners, demanded a treaty that addresses the root causes of the plastic crisis by targeting global production of primary plastic polymers. As highlighted by Semee Rhee of Break Free from Plastic, “Mandatory targets to reduce plastic production are essential to combat the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and toxic pollution.”
Nipe Fagio has been instrumental in aligning Tanzania with global advocacy efforts, ensuring that the voices of African communities, particularly in East Africa, are represented in international discussions. By integrating grassroots actions, data-driven policy advocacy, and systemic change, Nipe Fagio underscores the interconnectedness of local challenges and global solutions. “The plastic crisis is not just an environmental issue; it’s a human rights and justice issue,” says Ana Rocha, Nipe Fagio’s Executive Director.
Plastics are a primary contributor to the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Nearly 99% of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, and their production and disposal release significant greenhouse gas emissions. This reality threatens to derail global climate targets, including the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Nipe Fagio echoes the sentiments of global leaders like Rahyang Nusantara of Plasticdiet Indonesia, who emphasizes, “Investing in reuse systems is crucial. We need real and lasting solutions, not just temporary waste management fixes. The treaty must establish a global standard for reuse systems to tackle pollution throughout the plastic life cycle effectively.”
In Tanzania, plastic pollution disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, including waste pickers and informal workers. These groups must be integral to the solutions outlined in the treaty. As Arpita Bhagat of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives points out, “The agreement must ensure that the financial mechanism prioritizes reduction, redesign, and reuse, supported by sustainable funding for low-income countries. Principles of human rights, justice, and a just transition must be central to the treaty.”
Nipe Fagio, in collaboration with international partners, is advocating for a legally binding treaty that includes ambitious reduction targets for plastic production and enforceable accountability measures. Such a treaty must prioritize reduction of plastic production, addressing the root cause of pollution by curbing the production of single-use plastics. Support for reuse systems, promoting global standards for sustainable reuse and refill solutions as well as human-centered policies that ensure justice and protection for affected communities, including waste pickers and Indigenous Peoples.
As Tanzania’s leading voice for zero-waste models and environmental justice, Nipe Fagio remains steadfast in its mission to drive systemic change. Through data collection, advocacy, and community action, Nipe Fagio ensures that Tanzania is not just a participant but a leader in the global fight against plastic pollution. The INC-5 negotiations are a critical juncture for humanity. Nipe Fagio urges leaders to deliver a treaty that not only tackles pollution but safeguards the health, rights, and future of all people, ensuring a safe planet for generations to come.
