The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the UP Institute of International Legal Studies (UP IILS) hosted a consultation for the Global Plastics Treaty with various stakeholders from the academe, civil society, and the private sector. The consultation was attended by Mr. Albert Magalang, the Chief of the Climate Change Information and Technical Support Division of the Climate Change Service under the DENR and one of the negotiators for the Philippines on the Global Plastics Treaty. Mr. Magalang delivered the keynote address, which provided the context behind, and updates on the Zero Draft of the Global Plastics Treaty. He also discussed the current negotiation positions of the Philippines. The dialogue, entitled “Global Plastics Treaty: A Stakeholder Consultation,” was held on October 30, 2024, at Bocobo Hall of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.

 

Dean Darlene Marie Berberabe of the UP College of Law opened the event and highlighted in her welcome remarks the urgent need for collective action to address plastic pollution. She emphasized the Philippines’ crucial role in the upcoming international treaty negotiations. Reminding the stakeholders of the value of their insights, Dean Berberabe noted the importance of a comprehensive, inclusive approach to tackling this global environmental challenge.

 

Mr. Magalang prefaced his keynote address, entitled “Updates on the Global Plastics Treaty: Negotiations and Progress,” with the current status of the Philippines’ waste generation. He also discussed the contributing practices and their subsequent impact on the economy. The address included an overview of the Philippines’ past engagements with the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC) and the various proposals submitted by Member States during the Fourth Session of the INC in Ottawa, Canada. Mr. Magalang presented to the stakeholders the Philippines’ current key positions in the lead-up to the upcoming Fifth Session of the INC. These positions include support for global mitigation actions to address greenhouse gas emissions through the reduction or avoidance of primary plastic polymers. They also include a comprehensive finance package that would allow public and private sectors to operationalize the treaty. After his keynote address, Mr. Magalang addressed questions from the stakeholders on the potential scope of the Global Plastics Treaty and the country’s negotiating positions on issues of concern.

 

The stakeholders were given further time to engage in dialogue with Mr. Magalang through a plenary consultation session. The dialogue included discussions on possible financial instruments that could be implemented to achieve targets on waste pollution reduction, based on their differing experiences in their respective fields. Beyond financing, the stakeholders raised other issues and considerations with respect to setting targets, ensuring synergy in the efforts of parties and stakeholders and coordination across multilateral environmental agreements, and creating a holistic framework that takes into account the complete life cycle of plastics. The insights of the stakeholders were noted and will be taken into account as the Philippine delegation prepares for the Fifth Session of the INC, scheduled to take place from November 25 to December 1, 2024, in Busan, Republic of Korea.