Coalition Clean Baltic took part in the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop a Plastics Treaty

CCB • June 30, 2023

Credit: IPEN

June 2023 - The second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine environment (INC-2), took place in Paris on 29 May - 3 June 2023. The INC Chair, with the support of the Secretariat, received a mandate to prepare a "zero draft" of the agreement ahead of the next session, due to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2023.


Representatives of Coalition Clean Baltic, and some of its Member Organizations, such as the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation attended the INC-2. In total, more than 1,700 participants - over 700 Member State delegates from 169 Member States and over 900 observers from civil society groups, including environmental NGOs and scientists – took part in the session, hosted by France at the headquarters of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris. This second session follows the INC-1, which was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in November 2022.


As the Plastic Treaty INC-2 negotiations come to a close, it was observed that many delegates’ views are evolving, as the talks have advanced from a focus on plastic as a waste and pollution problem, to the current movement toward a Treaty that addresses the threats to health and biodiversity from chemicals throughout the plastics life cycle. Despite roadblocks at the beginning of the week from a small group of countries, progress during the INC-2, including a decision to develop an initial draft text of a Treaty, has set the stage for the upcoming work and the next INC meeting in Kenya later this year toward a Treaty that addresses chemicals and health[1].

Credit: IISD - 29 May 2023

Initially, progress at INC-2 was slowed by a small group of countries reliant on their major fossil fuel, plastics, and chemical industries. However, despite these expected delays, the vast majority of Parties have expressed views showing the urgency of a Treaty centered on eliminating hazardous chemicals that threaten human health and the environment and on a lifecycle approach. For example, the High Ambition Coalition, a group of nearly 60 countries, including all Baltic Sea countries, except of Russia, allied for a meaningful treaty, stating:


(We) underline the scientific evidence of adverse health impacts related to plastics throughout the lifecycle, especially for women, infants and young children; workers and residents of frontline communities exposed to toxic chemicals used in or generated as a byproduct from the manufacturing of plastics; and those exposed to toxic chemicals further down the lifecycle of plastics, through use of plastic products and in the management of plastic waste, including waste pickers and waste recyclers[2][3].


The issue of toxic chemicals in plastics is becoming more and more important during the negotiations, and around. Thus, the new Greenpeace/IPEN report, "Forever Toxic: The science of health threats from plastic recycling,"[4] notes that, according to UNEP, plastics contain more than 13,000 chemicals, with more than 3,200 of them[5] known to be hazardous to human health. Moreover, many of the other chemicals in plastics have never been assessed and may also be toxic. Recycled plastics often contain higher levels of chemicals that can poison people and contaminate communities, including toxic flame retardants, benzene and other carcinogens, environmental pollutants like brominated and chlorinated dioxins, and numerous endocrine disruptors that can cause changes to the body’s natural hormone levels.


"The situation with constantly increasing plastic production, and associated pollution of the environment and impact on public health, and climate is extremely worrying. We at CCB together with our colleagues all around the world support the idea of a global control for chemicals in plastics, and limits for plastic production as important elements of the future treaty", commented Eugeniy Lobanov, CCB Hazardous Substances Working Area Leader, and participant of the INC-2. 


CCB will continue its participation and its contribution to the development of such an important Plastics Treaty for present and future generations.


***
Article written by Eugeniy Lobanov, CCB Hazardous Substances Working Area Leader




EXTRA RESOURCES

- IISD Summary report on INC-2, Earth Negotiating Bulletin, 2023

- UNEP resource page for INC-2, UNEP 2023

- IPEN resources on Plastic, IPEN 2023

- CCB Report "Keep Fibers Zipped. Holistic approach to reduction of microfiber pollution from textile", 2023

- CCB Keep FIbers Zipped campaign, 2023


 

NOTES
[1]
https://stoppoisonplastic.org/blog/chemical-threats-to-health-and-biodiversity-taking-center-stage-in-plastics-treaty-talks/

[2] Landrigan PJ, Raps H, Cropper M, Bald C, Brunner M, Canonizado EM, et al.. The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health. Annals of Global Health. 2023;89(1):23. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.4056

[3] Symeonides, C, Brunner M, Mulders Y, et al. Buy-now-pay-later: Hazards to human and planetary health from plastics production, use and waste.Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2021, vol 57. DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15777

[4] https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/reports/forever-toxic/

[5] https://www.unep.org/resources/report/chemicals-plastics-technical-report

By CCB October 3, 2025
3 October 2025 - Coalition Clean Baltic, together with its Member Organization BUND - Friends of the Earth Germany and the citizens’ initiative “ Lebensraum Vorpommern ”, have launched a petition to stop new oil and gas drilling projects in the Baltic Sea . The petition comes in response to plans to exploit a deposit just 6 km offshore Świnoujście , Poland, in the transboundary waters of the Oder Estuary and Pomeranian Bay. The planned site lies at the heart of NATURA 2000 protected areas , which are vital for biodiversity, climate action, and local communities. Oil and gas extraction in the Baltic Sea poses severe threats to its fragile ecosystems. Industrial activities such as drilling, pipeline construction, and ship traffic risk polluting the water with chemicals, oil leaks, and toxic waste. Underwater noise from pile driving and increased traffic would further degrade marine habitats. These pressures add to the already critical challenges faced by the Baltic Sea, including biodiversity loss, eutrophication, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. The consequences extend far beyond nature. Local communities rely on a clean and healthy Baltic for tourism, fishing, and quality of life. Expanding fossil fuel infrastructure would also undermine Europe’s climate commitments and lock in carbon emissions for decades to come. The petition calls on the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Poland, the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), the European Commission, and the Secretariat of the Espoo Convention to : Stop the plans for oil and gas extraction in the Oder Estuary and the Pomeranian Bay; Ban any new oil and gas extraction across the Baltic Sea; Ensure strong cross-border cooperation and communication amongst all involved states. The petition is open through the WeMove Europe´s platform and can be signed here .
By CCB October 1, 2025
Job Title: Coalition Campaign Manager - Common Fisheries Policy Position type : Full-time consultancy contract. Open to part-time arrangements initially if needed. Contract duration: Short-term contract until end of March 2026, with possibility of extension subject to funding availability Reports to: Steering Committee Location : Flexible(remote/home office) with regular travel. Working in Brussels is of advantage. Starting date : ASAP In close cooperation with the Steering Group of the coalition, lead, plan, coordinate, and support the campaign of an NGO network working together towards the implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the evaluation thereof. The campaign manager's responsibility is to develop and ensure the successful and timely delivery of political advocacy and public engagement activities of the campaign, both at EU and Member State level. Job description Strategy & Planning Develop and implement short-, and long-term campaign strategies aligned with coalition objectives, in close cooperation with the Steering Group. Set clear goals, timelines, and performance indicators for the campaign and ensure timely delivery thereof. Analyse policy development, political climate, media and public opinion, and stakeholder landscapes to inform tactics. Campaign Delivery Manage day-to-day execution of the campaign activities at Brussels and Member State level. Coordinate coalition partners and ensure communication between Steering Group and coalition members, as well as relevant groups/coalitions/experts and other stakeholders outside the coalition. Advise coalition members on strategic delivery of advocacy activities at all levels, including Member State level. Join Steering Group meetings in an advisory capacity. Report back to the Steering Group on the delivery of the campaign's activities, meeting of targets and milestones, and report back on activities, budget and impact. Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, key stakeholders, and allies to support campaign aims. Analyse opportunities of engagement, advise on policy language. Organise/coordinate/prepare and support relevant activities, including events, briefings, and advocacy activities in close cooperation with coalition members. Ensure relevant knowledge management and information flow within the coalition and across partner organisations. Liaise with communication experts on message framing, strategy and timelines. Management Support CCB administrative and finance staff managing grants to coalition partners. Ensure coalition partners receive information and materials that enable them to effectively contribute to achieving campaign goals (political information, policy briefings, templates, policy language, opportunity analyses). Support fundraising efforts as needed/requested by the Steering Group. Lead on funders narrative reporting. Qualifications & Skills required The consultant must be legally authorised to provide services and work as a consultant within the EU, based in an EU Member State. Fisheries and ocean expertise (preferred), or other environmental background. Degree (or equivalent experience) in communications/campaign management, political science, resource management, fisheries, or related field. Proven track record in designing and delivering successful advocacy or public campaigns at EU or Member State levels involving a larger coalition. Strong understanding of political processes at EU level and Member State levels, media landscapes, and public engagement. Excellent project management and organisational skills. Skilled communicator and coordinator, able to craft persuasive messages and engage a larger network into a common goal within tight deadlines. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Fluency in English is required; additional EU languages are a plus. Application Should you be interested in applying for this assignment, please send your CV (max. 2 pages) together with a personal letter (max. 1 page) before 9 October 2025 , COB, to secretariat@ccb.se Please include your consultancy rate in your application inclusive VAT (if applicable). Applications should be submitted in English. Incomplete applications (e.g. lacking either CV or personal letter) will not be considered . Any inquiries related to this assignment should be forwarded to the above email or to CCB Executive Secretary Mikhail Durkin at mikhail.durkin@ccb.se and +46 739 770 793. In the application and hiring process, CCB will not discriminate against any individual based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, property, disability, age, family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, economic and social situation. .