On Monday, November 13, Nairobi will host delegations from 175 countries under the auspices of the United Nations. They will try to agree on a binding global treaty to end plastic waste. The issue is of crucial importance for the environment, in Kenya as in the rest of the world, says the director of CCI France Kenya in Nairobi.
No more single-use plastic bags in shops and supermarkets. Since 2017, they have been banned everywhere in Kenya and are being replaced by polypropylene bags, which are significantly less harmful to the environment. And that is noticeable, notes Laure Paugam, Managing Director of CCI France Kenya:
“We are still seeing pretty strong impacts from this measure banning single-use plastics. When I came to Kenya on vacation six years ago, the streets were littered with plastic bags; people called them “African flowers” (African flowers, editor’s note). ). Today that doesn’t exist at all anymore, it’s over.”
Plastic comes from petrochemicals and is everywhere: waste of all sizes can already be found at the bottom of the oceans and on mountain peaks. Microplastics have been detected in blood or breast milk. But the fact is that, according to the Frenchwoman, this reduction in pollution is reserved for a certain part of the population:
“A large part of the Kenyan population lives on less than $80 a month. So it’s true that these climate issues related to plastics and packaging don’t affect all people who struggle to keep food on their plate every night.
And if the country presents itself as a pioneer in the fight against climate change in the region, then it is also for economic reasons, analyzes Laure Paugam: “Kenya sees this entire market for emissions credits as a new economic sector that needs to be developed.” In fact, it has Kenya positioned alongside Rwanda as a leader in banning single-use plastics.”
Therefore, there is a lot at stake for the negotiators of the 175 countries present in Nairobi from this Monday, November 13, under the auspices of the United Nations.
Laure Paugam in Nairobi: “When I came to Kenya on vacation six years ago, the streets were littered with plastic bags; people called them “African flowers.” All that is over now.” (CCI France Kenya)
Divergent positions
The countries have already met twice, but the meeting starting tomorrow in Nairobi will be the first opportunity to directly discuss a draft international treaty.
Kenya is not starting from scratch on this issue. The country organized the first African summit dedicated to the fight against climate change last September: “There were many heads of state there, such as the Secretary General of the United Nations or the President of the European Commission. We feel in everyone that a new conversation is unfolding around these topics.”
There is a broad consensus, but positions vary between different countries, environmentalists and plastic manufacturers. Several countries and NGOs are calling for a ban on single-use plastic products and stricter rules. While manufacturers and major producing countries are committed to recycling and better waste management.
And if Kenya is committed in this way, it is because it is being hit hard by climate change. “In January and February this year, Kenya experienced its worst drought in 50 years, with dramatic situations resulting in famine in the north of the country. And conversely, we are in the rainy season and torrential rains are predicted to be just as catastrophic as the drought.”
There is therefore an urgent need for action
Plastic pollution is expected to get even worse. Annual production has more than doubled to 460 million tons in 20 years. It could triple by 2060 if nothing is done. However, only 9% of plastics are recycled. Plastic also plays a role in global warming: in 2019, it accounted for 3.4% of global emissions, a figure that could more than double by 2060, according to the OECD.
After Kenya, negotiations must continue next April in Canada to be concluded in South Korea at the end of 2024.