April 19, 2024
StartGreen Capital, together with 159 investors, banks, insurers, and financial initiatives from 29 countries, has signed the Finance Statement on Plastic Pollution. The purpose of the statement is to strengthen the voice of the financial sector during the upcoming round of negotiations in Canada regarding a treaty to combat plastic pollution (INC-4). The statement calls on governments to establish ambitious policies against plastic pollution, thereby supporting the private financial sector in taking action.
Global support
The 160 signatories of the Finance Statement on Plastic Pollution come from all over the world, including 108 organizations from Europe, 31 organizations from North and South America, 1 organization from Africa, and 20 organizations from Asia. Together, they represent $15.5 trillion in assets.
Plastic is a major pollutant
Plastic pollution is closely linked to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. If policies remain unchanged, plastic is expected to account for 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Statement establishes the link between these environmental issues and emphasizes the synergistic benefits of addressing plastic pollution for the climate and for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity.
Taking responsibility
Financial institutions that have signed the statement recognize their role in mitigating financial risks associated with plastic pollution. They also express their willingness to address the risks of plastic pollution through their financed activities and investments.
Coenraad de Vries, Managing Partner and co-founder of StartGreen: ‘As a specialist in sustainable financing, we fully support this initiative. Especially because a robust anti-pollution treaty enables us to achieve even more positive environmental impact through our financing.’
The statement was drafted by UNEP FI, the Principles for Responsible Investment, Finance for Biodiversity Foundation, the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, the Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VBDO), and CDP.
