This brief was drafted by Aana Shenai, Ryann Jibson, Dr. Samantha Athey, Nicolas Gaulin, Nayana Cordeiro, Mia Snyder, Vhon Michael on behalf of the Children and Youth Major Group to the UN Environment Programme.

Esteemed Delegates,

As representatives of the Children and Youth Major Group to the UN Environment Programme, we express our deep appreciation for your engagement with the children and youth constituency and for affording us this opportunity to voice our priorities.

At this late stage, we believe that this treaty represents a pivotal moment to safeguard our planet for future generations, particularly vulnerable groups such as youth, children, Indigenous Peoples, and women. When addressing plastic pollution, it is essential to incorporate youth perspectives into the development, implementation, and monitoring of the treaty. 

This position brief outlines the priorities of young people as they relate to issues covered in Contact Group 1, which addresses the scope and Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Chair’s Text. 

Youth demand a treaty that:

1. Recognizes the full life cycle of plastics: The health and economic impacts of plastics - from production to disposal - disproportionately burden youth. These impacts must be reflected in the definition of “plastic pollution” (Article 2C) and in measures supporting life-cycle design approaches (Article 5.1.a.iv).
2. Addresses the health impacts of plastics and associated chemicals: Plastics and associated chemicals pose significant risks to human and environmental health, with disproportionate impacts to children and youth. We support including “safety” in product design criteria (Article 5.1.a.ii), as proposed by the UK, Chile, and others, and endorse related updates to Article 3.1.a.i and ii as suggested by Mexico, Switzerland, and others. Implementation of this criteria should be informed by the best available, independent science, free of conflict of interests including with chemicals and plastics industries. 
3. Includes a legally-binding, time-bound commitment: Action must be taken now, with those Parties’ bold enough to move forward held accountable for their commitments. Specifically, we call for the development of product design criteria by the Conference of the Parties to support the timely implementation of the treaty (Article 5.3).
4. Ensure meaningful youth participation throughout the process: We call on Parties to ensure meaningful, institutionalized, and continuous children and youth engagement throughout the development, implementation, and monitoring of the treaty. For example, public education on the impacts of plastic consumption is crucial to shift behavior and successfully implement the goals of the treaty. Countries should collaborate with and support youth-led efforts recognizing the central role of youth in driving cultural shifts around plastic use. Our lived experience, innovation, and commitment to sustainability can strengthen treaty outcomes. 

Our position is rooted in our belief that in order for us to have intergenerational equity, we must have intergenerational, intersectional cooperation, where all stakeholders, especially young people, are engaged. We appreciate your consideration of these priorities and stand ready to support your efforts and to mobilize youth engagement during INC-5.2.

Sincerely,

Members of the Children and Youth Major Group to the UN Environment Programme