Opening the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) consultation meeting with his keynote address, Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Pose SaleSa Schuster, the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Lands, brought attention to the escalating global material consumption and its dire consequences for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Held on 14-15 May 2024, the meeting covered the need for advanced waste management and the adoption of circular economy practices to address these pressing challenges.
Minister Schuster pointed out that global material use has surged from 28.6 billion tonnes in 1972 to over 100 billion tonnes in 2019, with projections suggesting a rise to between 170 and 184 billion tonnes by 2050 if current practices continue. This dramatic increase underscores the dire need for effective waste management strategies, particularly for SIDS, where waste generation per capita is 48% higher than the global average.
Despite contributing only 1.56% to the global volume of mismanaged plastic waste, SIDS face unique challenges due to their limited economic resources and fragile ecosystems.
“For small island developing states, this higher than global average waste volume, poses a significant problem especially for our small island developing states with limited economic resources and fragile environments, underscoring the critical need and urgency for focused waste management and reduction initiatives” explained Minister Schuster.
Samoa has taken proactive steps by instituting a ban on single-use plastic bags and straws in 2019. Plans are underway to integrate more circular economy principles into national strategies, including formalising an Import Waste Levy to finance recycling efforts. This initiative reflects a broader commitment among Pacific islands, with nations like Mauritius, Fiji, and Vanuatu also implementing bans on various forms of single-use plastics.
During the meeting, delegates from the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) advocated for a comprehensive international legally binding instrument that addresses the full life cycle of plastics. Such measures are crucial for managing plastic pollution effectively and include robust financial mechanisms and support for technology transfer and capacity building in SIDS.
The consultation also highlighted the ongoing contributions of the 3R and Circular Economy Forum, established in 2009, which has provided a vital platform for SIDS to collaborate on solid waste management and zero-waste initiatives.
With the upcoming SIDS 4 conference on the horizon, the inputs and feedback on the Pre-Zero Draft are crucial in shaping future sustainable development strategies.
