Two Jamaican Cities Included in New Project to Reduce Plastic Pollution
CARTAGENA, Colombia - Two Jamaican cities, including the capital, Kingston, are included in a new initiative aimed at reducing marine plastics and plastic pollution in Latin America and Caribbean cities through a Circular Economy Approach (GEF LAC Cities) that recently launched an intercity network on plastics circular economy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Delegates who attended the Launch of the Intercity Network on Plastics Circular Economy in ColombiaThe launch brought together key representatives from municipal and national authorities, as well as from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
A statement issued following the launch said that the meeting highlighted the relevance of regional collaboration as a fundamental pillar to implement sustainable solutions and address the environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution.
Among the expected results of the network are the promotion of a harmonized regional agenda, the establishment of a coordinated approach to the plastics circular economy at city level, and strengthening capacity at local, national and regional levels on circular solutions.
According to the statement, plastic pollution, including marine plastics, represents one of the main environmental challenges for LAC, impacting human health, ecosystems and the regional economy.
The statement said that to address this problem, the cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena in Colombia, Kingston and Montego Bay in Jamaica, and Panama City and Colón in Panama will form part of this network that seeks to promote regional cooperation, share experiences and best practices as well as promote circular and sustainable approaches to address plastic pollution, including marine plastics.
It said that the network plans to progressively expand to additional cities in the LAC over the coming years.
“This launch marks a milestone in joint efforts to tackle plastic pollution in Latin America and the Caribbean, driving a common vision and sustainable solutions at the local level for cities in the region,” said Jacqueline Álvarez, Chief of the UNEP’s Chemicals and Health Branch.
The Mayor of Cartagena, Dumek Turbay, said being part of the Intercity Network on Plastics Circular Economy “is confirmation of our commitment to sustainability, which has been working through the “Cartagena City of Rights” Development Plan.
“Our planning roadmap includes key initiatives such as strengthening organizations of recyclers and waste pickers implementing sustainable business models, drive
“With close collaboration with regional environmental authorities, we anticipate significant environmental actions, such as the protection of water resources, the protection of ecosystems and the promotion of sustainable practices, thus contributing to a more equitable future for all. These actions reinforce Cartagena’s commitment to the circular economy and sustainable development.” said Turbay.
The network will be consolidated as a space for cities to collaborate in the implementation of circular economy strategies along the plastic value chain.
With the support of the UNEP’s Cartagena Convention Secretariat, this platform will also foster partnerships with additional stakeholders, facilitating the implementation of action plans that can be replicated in other cities in the region to reduce plastic pollution.
“When the Cartagena Convention was adopted in 1983 and the Land Based Sources of Marine Protocol in 1999, urgent action was needed to reduce pollution from solid waste, including plastics,” said Chris Corbin, the coordinator for the Cartagena Convention Secretariat, Ecosystems Division at UNEP.
“ The launch of this Cities Network presents a change in approach. We can no longer only focus on improving collection and disposal of waste and plastics to prevent pollution. Circular Economy approaches are now viable and sustainable solutions that offer environmental, social and economic benefits.
“We look forward to continue building on this network and replicating the lessons learned throughout the Wider Caribbean region,” said Corbin.
The regional project manager for GEF LAC Cities Project, Taylor Clayton, said in a few months they expect to have a finalized agreement with global scope that will align policy regarding the production and consumption of plastic products.
“As this process unfolds, we have a great opportunity to be a leader in this region and in the world in making progress against plastic pollution at the city level,” said Clayton.
