This side event to the 2023 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions is organized by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) with the support of the Geneva Environment Network.
Toxic chemicals impact communities throughout the plastics lifecycle, including during recycling and waste management. Plastics also carry toxic chemicals with it over long distances, acting as a source of exposure for communities living in remote areas, such as indigenous communities in the Arctic.
The Stockholm Convention plays an important role in banning POPs in plastics, as exemplified by the recommendations of the POPRC to list the plastics additives Dechlorane Plus and UV-328 for global elimination. Governments at the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution (INC1) clearly identified toxic chemicals as a key issue for the Treaty to address. This will be key for the plastics associated chemicals not covered by the Stockholm Convention, as well as an opportunity to act on groups of chemicals.
Punyathorn JEUNGSMARN – EARTH
Karen RAUBENHEIMER – University of Wollongong
Niko URHO – Center for Governance and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts
Therese KARLSSON – IPEN
Sverre Thomas JAHRE – Government of Norway
Lee BELL – IPEN | Moderator
This event will take place in a hybrid format, both in-person and virtually. In-person participation is open to the registered participants to the BRS COPs. Online participation is open to all. Register on webex.