When COP16 concluded, Asean international locations demonstrated assorted approaches to the principle negotiation agenda objects, together with biodiversity funding and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and Native Communities (IP&LCs). The Philippines stood out as a champion, advocating for IP&LC rights in marine and coastal conservation whereas emphasising the mixing of local weather and biodiversity targets. Malaysia known as for stronger regional collaboration on biodiversity finance, with help from Indonesia. Regardless of these efforts, Asean’s total presence within the negotiations has been much less outstanding in comparison with different areas, although there stays important potential for management, as demonstrated by the Philippines’ proactive stance.
Proper now, the world is targeted on one other vital multilateral environmental settlement – the International Plastic Treaty. On the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan, South Korea, from November 25 to December 1, Asean’s participation might be pivotal. Will they keep their proactive momentum from COP16, leveraging the chance to guide on public curiosity and regional welfare, or stay overshadowed on the worldwide stage?
The importance of the International Plastic Treaty
Plastic air pollution poses multifaceted threats to human well being, the surroundings, and the financial system. From manufacturing to disposal, plastic is among the planet’s most carbon-intensive industries, with its carbon footprint doubling in lower than 30 years to account for practically 5 per cent of complete annual greenhouse fuel emissions, considerably impacting the Southeast Asia area.
To keep away from the extreme impacts of plastic air pollution on well being and the surroundings, a elementary shift in how plastics are produced, used, and managed is urgently wanted. But, even because the world grapples with the plastics disaster, manufacturing continues to rise.
In the meantime, the financial influence is substantial, with marine plastic air pollution alone inflicting GDP reductions globally, estimated at as much as US$7 billion yearly. Such air pollution jeopardises the huge financial potential of our oceans, projected to succeed in a GDP of US$3 trillion by 2030, comprising about 5 per cent of the worldwide GDP. Significantly in Southeast Asia area, the place the blue sector dominates, contributing considerably to aquaculture, fisheries, and international commerce, the ocean’s financial significance can’t be overstated. Nonetheless, the area additionally faces grave financial losses on account of plastic air pollution, estimated at US$19 billion throughout 87 coastal international locations.
This financial menace undermines the aspirations of initiatives just like the Asean imaginative and prescient 2045, which seeks progressive inexperienced financial system, local weather motion, sustainable urbanization, and nature-based options. Since 2021, Asean’s Marine Regional Motion Plan has aimed to fight marine particles by phasing out single-use plastics, a momentum that ought to now be amplified globally to cut back plastic air pollution throughout the area by means of the International Plastic Treaty. . For Asean, energetic participation within the negotiations is significant—not just for the area’s environmental and financial resilience but in addition for setting a worldwide precedent for decisive motion in opposition to plastic air pollution.
Asean’s earlier positions
Throughout INC-4 in Ottawa, the Philippines emerged as a regional chief, linking plastic air pollution to local weather impacts. Nonetheless, its consistency in prioritising public curiosity over business affect stays essential. Equally, Thailand highlighted the significance of addressing chemical substances of concern impacting public well being, though stronger commitments are wanted. Notably, no Asean nation has championed embedding the polluters pay precept into monetary mechanisms, regardless of supporting prolonged producer accountability (EPR) methods. Whereas EPR holds producers accountable for waste, it should additionally drive systemic change, together with a shift in direction of reuse fashions. Indonesia, a key participant in INC-3 discussions on problematic plastics, has turn into more and more passive, largely on account of business affect, as evidenced by the presence of petrochemical representatives in its delegation.
Classes from Asean’s environmental diplomacy
Asean has a storied monitor file of sturdy environmental diplomacy. Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste have joined the Excessive Ambition Coalition underneath the Conference on Organic Range, advocating bold targets to realize the 2030 biodiversity targets. Vietnam has taken daring steps by proposing that the Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ) affirm international locations’ obligations to fight local weather change, highlighting that nations should forestall hurt to the worldwide local weather system and cooperate in good religion to handle local weather challenges. Equally, Indonesia has performed a big function within the UNCLOS negotiations, contributing to the safety of the marine surroundings and air pollution prevention, efforts that proceed to today. These examples reveal Asean’s potential to affect international frameworks successfully, together with the International Plastic Treaty.
Awaiting heroes from Southeast Asia
Scientific knowledge and modeling from establishments such because the OECD emphasise the pressing have to eradicate plastic air pollution to make sure a livable planet. The scientific consensus is evident: aligning the treaty with the 1.5°C goal requires not simply demand-side measures but in addition important restrictions on provide. This aligns with classes from COP16 CBD, the place Asean international locations just like the Philippines performed pivotal roles, advocating for simply finance mechanisms, IP&LC rights, and climate-biodiversity alignment packages. Malaysia and Indonesia additionally emphasised monetary commitments to guard biodiversity, demonstrating the potential for sturdy regional management.
These successes ought to galvanise Asean leaders to prioritise public curiosity throughout INC-5. The six-day negotiations in Busan current a vital alternative for Asean to rise as a worldwide chief – championing public well being and environmental sustainability. Addressing the plastics disaster requires lowering manufacturing, halting biodiversity loss, and limiting international warming to 1.5°C. Any Asean authorities endorsing a treaty with out sturdy provisions on major plastic polymers, chemical substances of concern, and problematic plastics undermines the treaty’s targets. To be remembered as trailblazers of sustainable economies, Asean leaders should act decisively, prioritising public and environmental well being over fossil gasoline business pursuits.
Rayhan Dudayev is the Senior Regional Marketing campaign Strategist (Authorized and Political) of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
