276. Action On Plastic Pollution with Ellen MacArthur

Dec 5, 2024

Ellen MacArthur, a world record-breaking sailor and founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, joins the discussion to tackle the pressing issue of plastic pollution. They explore the recent challenges surrounding the global plastics treaty negotiations and the need for decisive international action. The conversation covers the critical role of the private sector in addressing this crisis and the potential of innovative recycling technologies. By emphasizing circularity and raising public awareness, they highlight paths toward a sustainable future.

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ADVICE

Understanding the INC Process

Christiana Figueres explains the INC process for international treaties, like the one for plastics.
It's a pre-COP process where countries design the structure and rules before the actual COP.

ANECDOTE

Pre-COP History

Tom Rivett-Carnac highlights that the common understanding of COP history is incomplete.
Christiana Figueres adds that there were 11 INC meetings before COP1, which she herself started working on.

INSIGHT

Supply vs. Demand

Paul Dickinson compares the plastics treaty debate to climate change discussions, specifically carbon capture.
He highlights the tension between regulating supply (production) versus demand (consumption), similar to arguments around fossil fuels.

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This week, Christiana, Tom and Paul tackle the latest on the global plastics treaty (known as INC-5), which ended last week without a deal. Why were countries unable to agree a deal despite the huge amount of public concern about plastic pollution? What pathways remain for an agreement in 2025? And why is it so important to maintain focus on plastic from a climate point of view? Dive into the challenges and explore potential solutions with the team.

Continuing this critical theme, Ellen MacArthur, Founder & Chair of Trustees of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, world record-breaking sailor and circular economy advocate, joins Christiana to share an exclusive conversation as part of a collaboration between The Circular Economy Show and Outrage + Optimism. Together they consider what’s next for the global plastics treaty, get excited about the role of the private sector in tackling plastic pollution, and highlight how the visibility of plastics can help capture public attention on climate. Before you go…

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NOTES AND RESOURCES

GUEST

Dame Ellen MacArthur

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Ellen MacArthur Foundation

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The Foundation works to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, if you’d like to find out more, the Foundation’s podcast ‘The Circular Economy Show’ talks to experts from across industry, governments and academia to hear first hand about how the circular economy is being developed and scaled.

December Mailbag Episode

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