Just Transition towards an environmentally sustainable economy can be described as the process of designing, promoting, and implementing actions to transition to the sustainable production and consumption of plastics in a fair and inclusive manner. This ensures that no one is left behind, especially workers and communities most affected by environmental and economic changes.
Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent environmental and public health challenges of our time. As global negotiations for a plastic treaty advance, African nations, particularly within the East African Community, have a unique opportunity to shape effective, inclusive plastic governance. Yet, enforcement gaps, weak public participation, and institutional limitations persist. Local governments bear the responsibility for managing plastic waste, while informal waste pickers remain excluded from policy processes meant to support a just transition to a plastic-free future.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic compounds that remain in the environment for long periods and accumulate in the food chain. They include dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), brominated flame retardants, and other POPs listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. These chemicals pose serious risks to human health, such as cancer, thyroid dysfunction, and reproductive problems.
September 21, 2024, marked as World Coastal Cleanup Day— is a global effort aimed at removing trash from aquatic environments to reduce environmental pollution. To commemorate this day, CEJAD joined hands with numerous organizations as part of the International Coastal Cleanup Committee, Kenya Chapter, to coordinate and collaborate on this initiative.
Before the day begins, a group of brave men and women equipped with small bags and small hand-pulled carts navigate the streets, households and dumpsites collecting items that others have discarded. The waste pickers, a group of individuals who are usually unnoticed play a very important role in maintaining a greener environment and ensuring we have a safe cleaner surrounding
On 14th April 2023, CEJAD in collaboration with CIEL, organized an Africa Civil Society Workshop on the Global Plastics Treaty in Nairobi. The meeting reviewed the draft document and identified key priorities for Africa region to champion in the treaty during the INC-2 in Paris. As African CSOs, we are committed to pushing for a legally binding treaty and a Just Transition for waste pickers.
CEJAD Kenya held a successful sensitization meeting with the media on the goal to end plastic pollution, with a focus on the comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. During this meeting CEJAD highlighted the lack of transparency from industries regarding the specific chemical ingredients used in plastic production and the need for the consumers to know the adverse effects of plastic on human health.
Miss Dorothy Otieno, Programme Officer at CEJAD discussed the progress of the 3rd Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee and key issues that the plastic treaty should address for it to be effective on NTV Kenya. More of the conversation can be found in this link.
5th June 2023, Mr Aaron Kecha, an Environmental scientist from CEJAD discussed the effects of chemicals in plastic on the health of consumers alongside other environmental champions as they discuss the pursuit of real solution amid #PlasticPollution. You can more of the conversations on @ntvkenya
Ahead of the 4th session of the International Negations Committee (INC4) in Ottawa Canada, we collaborated with the ministry of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry to co-convene Kenya Plastics Technical Working Group. The goal of the meeting was to deliberate our position on the plastic treaty negotiations by having a unified voice guided by our priorities and needs as a country.
