Petrochemicals are a major and escalating threat to the climate. Globally, the petrochemical sector is already a major climate problem, responsible for around 10% of total GHG emissions. The International Energy Agency projected that 85% of the growth in oil demand will come from petrochemical production by 2030. The United States is poised for a major petrochemical buildout that would undermine climate targets and lock us into fossil fuel emissions for decades to come. This planned petrochemical buildout will not only worsen climate impacts, it will also deepen environmental injustices in communities that already bear the brunt of industrial pollution. At a time when decisive climate action is needed more than ever, building more petrochemical plants is a monumental mistake. The time to act is now. Tell US leaders to reject the planned petrochemical expansion and its devastating climate and health consequences.
Dear [Decision Maker],
Resolving the plastics crisis is proving to be a critical challenge of our time. An analysis (https://www.ciel.org/reports/emissions-unleashed) published this month by the Center for International Environmental Law reveals that the US is, in fact, poised for a massive petrochemical expansion. As scientists warn that petrochemicals are a serious threat to the climate and human health, the US is planning to issue permits for new petrochemical production equivalent to nearly 40 coal plants of additional greenhouse gas emissions annually -- with more than 20% of those emissions coming from new plastics production.US government policies need to result in less air and water pollution, not more petrochemical production planned for construction in environmental justice communities. I join with the organizations calling for you and the Biden Administration to issue a public statement ahead of INC-5 and develop a Conference Room Paper that commits to actively support the following positions through negotiation on the new global plastics treaty:**A global target to halt and phase down primary polymer production, accompanied by clear, mandatory pathways for each State to meet this target**Global obligations to reduce and phase out chemicals of concern in plastics, including chemical groups**Binding measures on emissions and releases across the plastics lifecycle, beginning at feedstock extraction**Reduction in use of plastics through non-toxic reuse and refill via non-plastic alternatives (rather than overemphasizing end-of-life approaches, like so-called 'plastic circularity' or the deployment of inefficient and toxic chemical recycling facilities)**Transparency in labeling, monitoring, and reporting requirements, in line with advancing a just transition for impacted communities and stakeholdersWe are running out of time. Not only is there precious little negotiating time remaining on the calendar, but your constituents on the frontline, including the Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities on the fenceline of plastics production facilities, do not have time for you to make empty promises without real policy solutions to back them. We have all already been absorbing, ingesting, and inhaling the pollution from plastics feedstock extraction, production, use, and disposal for generations.It's time to end the toxic scourge of plastics. It's past time for the US to step into this necessary leadership role on the international stage to end plastic pollution once and for all. You have the power to make that happen.Thank you. We are counting on you.
Sincerely,
