Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution

General
#1

Throughout this summer, negotiations have taken place in Paris, and are still ongoing for the adoption of a global treaty on plastic pollution. The goal is to conclude the treaty by the end of 2024.

These types of climate treaties are terrific, however one wonders how the burden can be shared equally among nations. The transition to a cleaner economy is much easier for developed nations that have already benefitted from decades of polluting.

It will be interesting to see if the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee will apply the same rules for every nation, or if the program will be scaled to adjust the economic burden based upon a country’s ability to cope.

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#2

There is a mechanism in place to balance the burden of climate regulations fairly between countries at various stages of development. The principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” (CBDR) recognizes that developed countries have historically contributed more to greenhouse gas emissions and have greater financial and technological capacities. As a result, they should take on more ambitious targets and provide support to developing nations in terms of technology transfer, financial assistance, and capacity building.

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#3

Thanks @CohenJoseph

Due to the complexity and nuance of each country’s specific circumstances, perhaps blockchain could by employed to manage the enforcement of global treaties of this nature, fostering transparency and employing solutions like smart contracts.

A few factors to consider:

· Sovereignty and National Autonomy: Some nations resist global treaties on things like plastic pollution, as they feel they infringe upon their sovereignty and limit their ability to make decisions that suit their specific circumstances.

· Complexity and Enforcement: Ensuring compliance across a diverse range of nations, each with its own political, economic, and environmental context.

· Economic Impact: Industries related to plastics, including manufacturing, packaging, and recycling, contribute more to some national economies more than to others. Could blockchain be applied to quantify economic impact and in some way even the playing field?

· One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Blockchain could enable a more flexible, region-specific, or country-specific approach that would be more effective and fair.

· Innovation and Technological Solutions: One could argue that investing in the development of technology to manage plastic through its entire cycle of production, consumption, disposal, and recycling would be more effective in the long run than imposing traditional global regulations.

#4

TechCrunch reported: it appears that a whopping 76% of the UK’s most promising startups backed by venture capital have yet to make a dent in measuring or offsetting their carbon emissions. Picture this: a staggering $40 billion has been pumped into these innovative companies, and yet, they’ve largely remained oblivious to their environmental impact.

What’s even more intriguing is the performance of venture capitalists in this sustainability arena. It’s like a suspenseful showdown where the highest-ranking VC firm could only muster a modest score of 37 out of a possible 100. On the flip side, there were some unfortunate stragglers barely scraping a score of 3.

Now, brace yourselves for a twist in the story! It turns out that the fintech sector emerges as the unexpected hero in this climate action drama. Behold Monzo, Oaknorth Bank, and Tide, raising millions upon millions in VC funding while taking admirable strides to combat climate change. They’re like the protagonists of the eco-friendly financial world.

But the suspense doesn’t end there! Faculty, the AI genius with $52 million under its belt, and insurtech trailblazer Yulife with a cool $207 million in funding also grace our list of environmental champions. However, the villains of this climate saga are none other than Doccla, Multiverse, Cera, and Motorway, ranking dead last among the top 100 in the formidable index.

Now, let’s talk about the investors – the puppet masters pulling the strings in this thrilling VC drama. Latitude, Molten Ventures, and the tech giant Tencent take the stage with high average climate scores, painting them as the eco-conscious patrons of the startup world. Meanwhile, Samos Accel and Passion Capital find themselves in the murky depths, boasting some of the lowest scores.

But wait, there’s more intrigue! Some of the UK’s household-name VCs, like Notion Capital, GV, Index Ventures, Balderton Capital, and Seedcamp, find themselves outside the coveted top ten positions, adding an unexpected twist to our narrative.

You can read all about this captivating showdown on the VC leaderboard, where each firm’s climate actions are meticulously scrutinized. And remember, this isn’t just about money; it’s a tale of startups, venture capitalists, and the planet’s future. Dive into the riveting details via the link below! :fire::earth_africa:

[Link to the full article: LinkedIn]

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#5

@Nancy_Muellerhof: Interesting article – thank you for sharing!

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#6

@David-CKC-Fund how would you handel ESG implementation in crypto diversification with in a fund. Do you think ESG has a negative or posetive correlation to fund performance?

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#7

Good question, @Digitaldavos95. In terms of the approach that my fund-management team at CKC.Fund takes, we ESG focus within the digital asset space as feasible within the context of fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities – and in many cases as in fact an inevitable need. Many if not most investment in the digital assets space are intended to promote the application of increasingly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies that facilitate the creation of positive societal value through transformative real-world use cases. Most ethical and responsible digital asset investments have strong ability to contribute fostering economic growth, promoting social inclusion and financial access, addressing environmental concerns, and emphasizing the importance of effective governance and regulation in the digital asset space.