StartGreen signs covenant against plastic pollution

19 April 2024

StartGreen Capital, together with 159 investors, banks, insurers and financial initiatives from 29 countries, launched the Finance Statement on Plastic Pollution signed. The purpose of the statement is to strengthen the voice of the financial sector during the upcoming round of negotiations in Canada on a treaty to curb plastic pollution (INC-4). The statement calls on governments to establish ambitious policies against plastic pollution to support the private financial sector in taking action.

Global support

The 160 signatories of the Finance Statement on Plastic Pollution come from around the world, including 108 organisations from Europe, 31 organisations from the Americas, 1 organisation from Africa and 20 organisations from Asia. Together, they represent $15.5 trillion in assets.

Plastic big polluter

Plastic pollution is closely linked to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. If there are no policy changes, plastics are expected to account for 15 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Declaration links these environmental issues and highlights the synergistic benefits of addressing plastic pollution for climate and biodiversity conservation and restoration.

Taking responsibility

Financial institutions that signed the statement acknowledge their role in mitigating the financial risks associated with plastic pollution. They also express their willingness to address plastic pollution risks through the activities and investments they finance.

Coenraad de Vries, Managing Partner and co-founder StartGreen: 'As a specialist in sustainable finance, we strongly support this initiative. Especially because a good anti-pollution treaty enables us to make even more positive impact on the environment through our financings.'

The statement was prepared 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.

Download the declaration and list of signatories.