Volume 76
Assessing and Addressing Contextual Equity: A Framework for Key Drivers Needed by Caribbean Small Island Developing States to Achieve Contextual Equity in the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations
Authors
Ambrose, K.K. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 2023
Event: Proceedings of the Seventy-Sixth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Nassau
Country: The Bahamas
Abstract
The “global plastics treaty” negotiations, to create an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment have commenced. Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are disproportionately impacted by the transboundary nature of plastic pollution and face challenges in equitably participating in the global plastics treaty negotiations. This study examines contextual equity as experienced by Caribbean SIDS in preparation and participation for the first ad-hoc Open Ended Working Group (OEWG-1) and the first intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC-1) meeting for negotiations on specific terms of the treaty. This dimension of equity refers to equity in access in the form of financial resources, political power, human capacity, and negotiating skills. Semi-structured interviews conducted with delegates, non-governmental organizations and regional coordinators from Caribbean SIDS revealed that they have varying capabilities and resources, inclusive of financial and human capacity, to equitably participate in developing interventions like the global plastics treaty. This study contributes new knowledge on barriers inhibiting contextual equity for Caribbean SIDS within the INC negotiation process and offers a framework of key drivers needed to achieve equity throughout the development and future implementation of a global plastics treaty for Caribbean SIDS.