In Ottawa-Canada, in the spring of 2024, delegates from across the globe convened for the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) on Plastic Pollution. Among them were representatives from Action Lab for Development (ACTLAB), committed to fostering sustainable change. Mr Tfurndabi Cornelius, ACTLAB’s CEO, led the delegation, accompanied by Dr Ronald Ngwa Neba, Climate Action Community Facilitator; Ms Synthia Neh Asiangyie, Climate Action Youth Leader; and Ms Mispaline Jaah, Head of Missions Environmental Advocacy.
For ACTLAB, participation at INC-4 was not merely a symbolic gesture but a continuation of showing commitment to a sustainable future also involving participation in 2023 at the INC-3 in Nairobi. ACTLAB operates in Cameroon with its extensive coastline bearing the brunt of plastic pollution. ACTLAB’s representatives brought voices from affected communities directly to the negotiating table and their commitment was clear: advocate for urgent global action while fostering local resilience.
Every minute, 15 tons of plastic enter our oceans and the annual weight of plastic waste now exceeds the combined mass of every living human. These stark realities underscored the urgency of INC-4’s mission: a legally binding treaty ratified in 2025 to end plastic pollution by 2040. While the figures are staggering and can seem overwhelming, they highlight a crisis that, with determination and effort, can be reversed. Achieving this requires action on a global scale, including legally binding treaties and ambitious initiatives like The Ocean Cleanup, alongside local community-driven efforts to shift habits and mindsets. Although environmental challenges have grown exponentially, so too have the tools and dedication to combat them. ACTLAB champions the inclusion of Indigenous and marginalised voices, recognising these communities as both victims of the climate crisis and vital contributors to truly fair sustainable solutions.
INC-4 was a stark reminder of global interconnectedness. Plastics harm ecosystems and human health, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations. Sustainable justice lies in ensuring these voices are amplified in global dialogue and amidst the challenges, hope emerges in the form of the local ingenuity that ACTLAB works tirelessly to support.
At its core, ACTLAB identifies and creates pathways to growth for students and entrepreneurs, acknowledging that a fair and green transition will be at the centre of future education and entrepreneurship. The participation of ACTLAB was part of an ongoing effort to create an international network of practitioners capable of sharing knowledge, initiatives, and inspiring commitments to radical and just positive change. With the legally binding commitment on plastic pollution in progress, ACTLAB agrees with the notion among keynote speakers that even though it is an ambitious agreement, it only represents one step out of many. ACTLAB remains dedicated to reducing resource use and carbon emissions while advancing environmental advocacy. Even as a small organisation, ACTLAB recognises the need for a fundamental change of habits and mindsets internally and among partners, to fully embrace sustainable choices and contribute meaningfully to a global just and green transition. ACTLAB will continue to support local innovators, youth leaders, and marginalised communities in building resilience against climate challenges.
In Ottawa-Canada, the delegation took time to engage with the thought-provoking art installations and protests surrounding the conference. These creative expressions served as a powerful reminder that combating plastic pollution and the climate crisis requires efforts on both a global scale, through legally binding treaties, and locally, driven by the dedication of artists and communities.
As ACTLAB’s delegation departed INC-4, they carried a message: while treaties are essential, all individual and collective actions matter. From reducing single-use plastics to advocating for systemic change, every effort and immediate step taken contributes to a world free from plastic pollution. In the words of ACTLAB, we can all “Be the Change.”
Fourth Session Report (INC-4)
List of participants