SCR 132: encouraging the adoption of recommendations from the United nations global plastics treaty and rapa nui summit declaration to address climate justice and sustainable development.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

encouraging the adoption of recommendations from the United nations global plastics treaty and rapa nui summit declaration to address climate justice and sustainable development.

     WHEREAS, the world is experiencing a triple planetary crisis associated with climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution; and

     WHEREAS, people of the Pacific acknowledge the invaluable wealth of the ocean for present and future generations; and

     WHEREAS, recognition of the invaluable contribution of indigenous peoples; leaders and local communities; and the crucial role played by women, youth, and the traditional knowledge passed on by elders is fundamental for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean; and

     WHEREAS, the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty is a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution on the planet, aiming to address the full lifecycle of plastics from production to disposal; and

     WHEREAS, the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty creates a common standard for plastic consumption across countries to:

     (1)  Establish regulations for plastic products and uses;

     (2)  Support a circular economy that prioritizes reuse and recycling;

     (3)  Manage plastic waste in an environmentally sound way; and

     (4)  Provide financial support and align public and private expenditures and allocations; and

     WHEREAS, the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty also requires signatories to:

     (1)  Phase out all unnecessary plastic products that pose a high pollution risk, including single-use items and excessive packaging;

     (2)  Establish binding and specific design requirements of plastic products that lead to a decrease in plastic consumption; and

     (3)  Match strong binding measures with ambitious mechanisms to enable effective implementation and a just transition, including robust technical and financial assistance; and

     WHEREAS, the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty holds all countries to a high common standard on plastic consumption and creates a clear path toward a future free from plastic pollution along with a level playing field that incentivizes and supports national actions; and

     WHEREAS, one benchmark of the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty includes the overall reduction in plastic packaging by thirty percent incrementally over twelve years, with the first incremental reduction of ten percent required by 2027; and

     WHEREAS, another benchmark includes phasing out single-use plastics including but not limited to plastic bags, straws, to‑go containers, polystyrene food ware, and coolers; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii can explore and incentivize local establishments to adopt systems prioritizing refill and reuse containers, thereby eliminating reliance on single-use plastics; and

     WHEREAS, the State should aim to:

     (1)  Improve reporting, transparency, and traceability of chemicals and plastics throughout their full life cycle;

     (2)  Advocate for chemical simplification and group-based approaches to regulating hazardous chemicals;

     (3)  Implement chemical monitoring, testing, and quality control;

     (4)  Create economic incentives that follow the Zero Waste Hierarchy; and

     (5)  Generate support for a just and equitable transition to protect individuals, including waste pickers, who are impacted throughout the life cycle of plastics; and

     WHEREAS, recognizing the connection between human health and reducing plastic pollution while reinforcing the need for upstream intervention on production, eliminating toxic chemicals, establishing producer responsibility, and subsidizing and advancing nontoxic reuse systems, can help the State to alleviate the effects of plastics on society; and

     WHEREAS, Rapa Nui hosted a global and regional summit declaring major priorities around plastics in Moananuiakea; and

     WHEREAS, the Rapa Nui Pacific Leaders Summit addressed plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean by aiming to:

     (1)  Promote actions to reduce plastic and microplastic pollution in Moananuiakea;

     (2)  Foster ocean conservation and protection; and

     (3)  Highlight the importance of integrating scientific and traditional knowledge; and

     WHEREAS, adopting the recommendations provided in the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty and Rapa Nui Summit Declaration will better position the State to address the harmful effects of plastics; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that this body encourages the adoption of recommendations from the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty and Rapa Nui Summit Declaration to address climate justice and sustainable development; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages the State to undertake effective, inclusive, sustainable, and rights-based considerations to address the challenge of plastic pollution and the degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages the adoption of actions promoting protection, conservation, and the sustainable use of the ocean, including preservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystems and implementation of mechanisms to increase marine resilience, especially among indigenous peoples and local coastal communities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body supports the promotion of culture-based climate justice, utilizing the principles established in the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Pacific Islands Forum; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages greater participation in the United Nations human rights, sustainable development, and climate processes promoting rights, fundamental freedoms, and protection of the planet; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, members of Hawaii's congressional delegation, and Governor.

Report Title: 

United Nations; United Nations Global Plastics Treaty; Rapa Nui Summit Declaration; Climate Change; Sustainable Development

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

encouraging the adoption of recommendations from the United nations global plastics treaty and rapa nui summit declaration to address climate justice and sustainable development.

     WHEREAS, the world is experiencing a triple planetary crisis associated with climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution; and

     WHEREAS, people of the Pacific acknowledge the invaluable wealth of the ocean for present and future generations; and

     WHEREAS, recognition of the invaluable contribution of indigenous peoples; leaders and local communities; and the crucial role played by women, youth, and the traditional knowledge passed on by elders is fundamental for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean; and

     WHEREAS, the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty is a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution on the planet, aiming to address the full lifecycle of plastics from production to disposal; and

     WHEREAS, the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty creates a common standard for plastic consumption across countries to:

     (1)  Establish regulations for plastic products and uses;

     (2)  Support a circular economy that prioritizes reuse and recycling;

     (3)  Manage plastic waste in an environmentally sound way; and

     (4)  Provide financial support and align public and private expenditures and allocations; and

     WHEREAS, the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty also requires signatories to:

     (1)  Phase out all unnecessary plastic products that pose a high pollution risk, including single-use items and excessive packaging;

     (2)  Establish binding and specific design requirements of plastic products that lead to a decrease in plastic consumption; and

     (3)  Match strong binding measures with ambitious mechanisms to enable effective implementation and a just transition, including robust technical and financial assistance; and

     WHEREAS, the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty holds all countries to a high common standard on plastic consumption and creates a clear path toward a future free from plastic pollution along with a level playing field that incentivizes and supports national actions; and

     WHEREAS, one benchmark of the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty includes the overall reduction in plastic packaging by thirty percent incrementally over twelve years, with the first incremental reduction of ten percent required by 2027; and

     WHEREAS, another benchmark includes phasing out single-use plastics including but not limited to plastic bags, straws, to-go containers, polystyrene food ware, and coolers; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaiʻi can explore and incentivize local establishments to adopt systems prioritizing refill and reuse containers, thereby eliminating reliance on single-use plastics; and

     WHEREAS, the State should aim to:

     (1)  Improve reporting, transparency, and traceability of chemicals and plastics throughout their full life cycle;

     (2)  Advocate for chemical simplification and group-based approaches to regulating hazardous chemicals;

     (3)  Implement chemical monitoring, testing, and quality control;

     (4)  Create economic incentives that follow the waste hierarchy; and

     (5)  Generate support for a just and equitable transition to protect individuals, including waste pickers, who are impacted throughout the life cycle of plastics; and

     WHEREAS, recognizing the connection between human health and reducing plastic pollution while reinforcing the need for upstream intervention on production, eliminating toxic chemicals, establishing producer responsibility, and subsidizing and advancing nontoxic reuse systems, can help the State to alleviate the effects of plastics on society; and

     WHEREAS, Rapa Nui hosted a global and regional summit declaring major priorities around plastics in Moananuiākea; and

     WHEREAS, the Rapa Nui Pacific Leaders Summit addressed plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean by aiming to:

     (1)  Promote actions to reduce plastic and microplastic pollution in Moananuiākea;

     (2)  Foster ocean conservation and protection; and

     (3)  Highlight the importance of integrating scientific and traditional knowledge; and

     WHEREAS, adopting the recommendations provided in the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty and Rapa Nui Summit Declaration will better position the State to address the harmful effects of plastics; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that this body encourages the adoption and implementation of the recommendations from the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty and Rapa Nui Summit Declaration applicable to the State to address climate justice and sustainable development; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages the State to undertake effective, inclusive, sustainable, and rights-based considerations to address the challenge of plastic pollution and the degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages the adoption of actions promoting protection, conservation, and the sustainable use of the ocean, including preservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystems and implementation of mechanisms to increase marine resilience, especially among indigenous peoples and local coastal communities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body supports the promotion of culture-based climate justice, utilizing the principles established in the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Pacific Islands Forum; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages greater participation in the United Nations human rights, sustainable development, and climate processes promoting rights, fundamental freedoms, and protection of the planet; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, members of Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation, and the Governor.

Report Title: 

United Nations; United Nations Global Plastics Treaty; Rapa Nui Summit Declaration; Climate Change; Sustainable Development

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2099

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.C.R. No. 132

      S.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 132, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY AND RAPA NUI SUMMIT DECLARATION TO ADDRESS CLIMATE JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to encourage the adoption of recommendations from the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty and Rapa Nui Summit Declaration to address climate justice and sustainable development.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Greenpeace Hawaii; 350Hawaii.org; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty is an agreement to end plastic pollution that creates a common standard for plastic consumption and establishes benchmarks for reduced plastic use.  Your Committee further finds that the Rapa Nui Pacific Leaders Summit addressed issues related to plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean and developed recommendations related to plastic reduction and ocean conservation through the Rapa Nui Summit Declaration.  This measure encourages the State to incorporate the recommendations of these agreements in its climate justice and sustainable development efforts.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 132, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1631

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 132

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 132 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY AND RAPA NUI SUMMIT DECLARATION TO ADDRESS CLIMATE JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage the adoption of recommendations from the United National Global Plastics Treaty and Rapa Nui Summit Declaration to address climate justice and sustainable development.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Greenpeace Hawaii, 350Hawaii.org, Energy Justice Network, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Green Party of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, and two individuals.

     Your Committees find that plastic pollution contributes to climate change and biodiversity loss while threatening public health.  Plastic pollution is especially dangerous to the State given its cultural and economic reliance on the diverse ecology of the islands and surrounding ocean.  The United Nations Global Plastics Treaty and Rapa Nui Summit Declaration offer guidance for states to reduce and address plastic pollution.  Accordingly, this measure encourages the adoption and implementation of the recommendations these documents offer which will better position the State to address the harmful effects of plastics. 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that the State should aim to create economic incentives that follow the Zero Waste Hierarchy, rather than the waste hierarchy; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 132, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 132, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Agriculture and Environment,