Since adopting a resolution at the 2022 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) to launch negotiations for a global plastics treaty, the process has become a major focus in the international environmental area. As the negotiation moves into the critical final phase by 2025, the progress of the Global Plastics Treaty is poised to reshape the future landscape of the plastics industry profoundly.
Background: Aiming to End Plastic Pollution
The rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution represent a serious global environmental issue. It negatively impacts the environmental, social, economic and health dimensions of sustainable development. Humanity was expected to consume over 500 million tonnes of plastics in 2024 alone. A large share of these used plastics is quickly becoming 400 million tonnes of waste. Around 79% ends up in landfills or the natural environment, only 12% is incinerated, and less than 9% is actually recycled. Under a business-as-usual scenario and in the absence of urgent action and necessary interventions, global plastic waste could almost triple, reaching around 1.2 billion tonnes by 2060.
At this background, in March 2022, at the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, a resolution was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (aka the Global Plastics Treaty).
Negotiation Progress: Global Plastics Treaty Timeline
INC-1: Punta del Este, Uruguay (28 November – 2 December 2022)
- The first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1), sought to facilitate the exchange of information, gathering of perspectives from different stakeholders across the plastics life cycle. The meeting collected information on: (1) the challenges and opportunities that should be considered in the negotiations; (2) existing actions that are helping to shift the needle on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment; (3) how stakeholders are approaching actions on plastic pollution; (4) key opportunities and challenges that the global agreement could address.
- This meeting did not complete discussions on procedural matters which were carried over to the INC-2. (Note: Procedural matters refer to issues related to the rules, processes, and organizational aspects of the negotiation itself, rather than discussions on the substantive content of the plastic pollution problem.)
- Key outcomes from INC1: INC secretariat requested to prepare a document outlining key elements of the Global Plastic Treaty. This file should be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics and will be discussed at INC-2.
INC-2: Paris, France (29 May – 2 June 2023)
- Completing procedural matters left over from INC-1; electing the bureau and approving the draft rules of procedure.
- Two parallel “contact groups” have discussed the treaty: one focused on the what of the treaty (objective and core obligations), and the other focused on the how (financial mechanisms, capacity building, and national action and implementation plans).
- Key outcomes from INC2: (1)the request for preparing a ‘zero draft’ of the treaty for discussion at INC3. (2) procedural matters were solved, and the election of the bureau was completed.
- Note: The Zero Draft seeks to regulate single-use plastics and set ambitious targets with accelerated timelines. It contains sections broadly addressing: the life cycle of plastics and plastic products with the aim of addressing plastic pollution; means of implementation; and implementation plans and institutional arrangements.
INC-3: Nairobi, Kenya (13 – 19 November 2023)
- Oil producing nations such as Saudi Arabia pushing back against proposals to restrict plastic production. The talks closed without an agreement on how to scale back the production of virgin plastics, and without an agreement on the intersessional work to take place ahead of INC-4.
- Taking in the views expressed during the first two INC sessions, the delegates discussed a comprehensive lifecycle approach, national action plans, international cooperation, hazardous materials criteria, environmentally sound substitutes, and the vulnerabilities of small island developing states (SIDS).
- Key outcomes from INC3: (1) No single draft was achieved as an outcome of this meeting. A revised Zero Draft will be presented at INC-4. (2) From the meeting emerged two things shaping the ambition: one relates to defining the lifecycle of plastics, and if measures will begin far upstream, midstream, or downstream. The second relates to the type of obligations the treaty will have.
INC-4: Ottawa, Canada (23 – 29 April 2024)
- The conference conducted multiple rounds of revisions and consultations on the “Revised Zero Draft.” It began with a technical streamlining of the text, followed by a line-by-line and paragraph-by-paragraph discussion of various provisions, including objectives, scope, control obligations, regulatory measures, financial mechanisms, and implementation and compliance by member states.
- once again saw a small number of countries blocking progress on measure to restrict primary plastic production.
INC-5.1: Busan, Republic of Korea (25 November – 1 December 2024)
- Negotiators were aiming to conclude talks in Busan (INC-5) and finalise the Treaty, but progress was once again blocked by oil-producing nations including Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States. Talks were adjourned and will resume in Geneva in August 2025.
- However, significant divisions remain, especially regarding whether to impose limits on total plastic production. For example, Panama proposed a production cap with clear reduction targets and monitoring mechanisms, supported by over 100 countries. In contrast, oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia opposed such measures, advocating instead for enhanced waste management and recycling.
- Key outcomes from INC5.1: Even though no agreement was reached in Busan, the negotiating committee has made significant progress towards a deal by agreeing on a text that should serve as a basis for negotiations at the next meeting.
INC-5.2: Geneva, Switzerland (4 – 14 August 2025)
Expected Impacts: Waste Management and Plastic Reduction
While the final treaty text remains under negotiation, some key directions have become clear. The treaty will likely drive multiple transformative shifts:
- Ban or restrict high-risk-pollution single-use plastic products (such as plastic bags, disposable cutlery, etc.) and excessive packaging.
- Strengthen circular systems to improve the recycling rate of plastics: promote recyclable and reusable materials, design standards for easier recycling, and implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.
- Emphasize international cooperation and support mechanisms: obligating developed countries to provide financial, technological, and capacity-building assistance to developing nations.
- Other aspects.
Overall, the treaty is expected to promote both upstream source reduction and downstream waste management. This will raise global standards for plastic waste treatment and reduce environmental leakage.
Looking Ahead: Toward a Binding Global Commitment on Plastics
Plastic pollution is a global crisis that urgently requires coordinated international action. Looking ahead, the Global Plastics Treaty has the potential to reshape the way plastics are produced, used, and managed. This will drive a profound transition toward a circular economy. It is hoped that through continued negotiations, countries will reach the Global Plastic Treaty in 2025, taking a crucial step toward effectively addressing plastic pollution.