The Need for a Global Plastics Treaty is More Urgent Than Ever

By: Kunjal Bastola

Edited by: Angie Chung and Simon Carr

As marine plastic pollution continues to rise, contributing to degradation of the oceans and marine biodiversity, the need for a global plastics treaty is more pressing than ever. Climate scientists and activists have been emphasizing the urgency of implementing a more efficient system of reducing waste and recycling materials.[1] In March 2022, the UN Environmental Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to develop a legally binding document on plastic pollution by the end of 2024.[2] With that deadline approaching, let’s take a look at the progress that has been made so far. 

At the UN assembly back in 2022, an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) was established to lead the development of the treaty.[3] The assembly also came to a conclusion that the treaty should address the full lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal, so as to properly mitigate plastic pollution.[4] So far, the INC has held three sessions to negotiate and draft the treaty.[5] The first session took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay in 2022.[6] The second session took place in Paris, France in 2023.[7] The third, and most recent, session took place in 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya in 2023.[8]

Many activists argue that the oil and gas industries are less invested in making cuts to the production of plastic but rather in recycling and waste management solutions, despite it being an important step in reducing the harmful effects of plastic pollution.[9] While it is important to take into account the entire lifecycle of plastics, including waste and recycling, the key to truly decreasing plastic pollution starts with plastic production. Almost every part of plastic is made of chemicals derived from fossil fuels, hence it is important to not only recycle and manage plastic waste properly, but also cut down on its production.[10] 

According to NPR, another impediment to the progression of the treaty deals with the challenge of bringing countries together to create an effective plan in decreasing plastic pollution.[11] While some countries advocate for a stronger framework, there are still a handful that want a looser, more voluntary framework.[12] Furthermore, 143 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists registered for the most recent round of negotiations in Nairobi, giving them access to these negotiations at a critical time as the climate crisis worsens.[13] With the deadline for the treaty approaching, each negotiating session is becoming more critical than the previous one, and it’s likely industry lobbyists will continue to attend and exert influence over the discussions. 

During the next session, which is set to be in Ottawa, Canada from April 23 to 29 and is the fourth among five scheduled sessions, major changes need to be made in order for tangible progress to occur by the end of this year. [14] Plastic pollution will continue to increase and severely harm the marine environment if action isn’t taken soon. March 2024 marks the second year since the adoption of the resolution that kick-started the development of a global plastics treaty. A framework that adequately addresses the plastic pollution crisis is more imperative than ever. 

Notes: 

1. Plastics Europe, “The Global Plastics Treaty,” Plastics Europe, November 20, 2023, https://plasticseurope.org/changingplasticsforgood/global-plastics-treaty/.  

2. “United Nations Adopts Historic Resolution to End Plastic Pollution,” opc.ca.gov, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://opc.ca.gov/2022/03/united-nations-adopts-historic-resolution-to-end-plastic-pollution/.  

3. “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution,” UNEP, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.  

4. “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution,” UNEP, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.  

5. “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution,” UNEP, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.  

6. “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution,” UNEP, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.  

7. “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution,” UNEP, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.  

8. “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution,” UNEP, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.  

9. Copley, Michael, “Global Talks to Cut Plastic Waste Stall as Industry and Environmental Groups Clash,” NPR, November 20, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/11/20/1214141053/un-plastic-waste-pollution-negotiations-treaty-kenya-fossil-fuel-climate-change#:~:text=Negotiations%20over%20a%20global%20plastics,how%20to%20advance%20the%20deliberations.  

10. Copley, Michael, “Global Talks to Cut Plastic Waste Stall as Industry and Environmental Groups Clash,” NPR, November 20, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/11/20/1214141053/un-plastic-waste-pollution-negotiations-treaty-kenya-fossil-fuel-climate-change#:~:text=Negotiations%20over%20a%20global%20plastics,how%20to%20advance%20the%20deliberations.  

11. Copley, Michael, “Global Talks to Cut Plastic Waste Stall as Industry and Environmental Groups Clash,” NPR, November 20, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/11/20/1214141053/un-plastic-waste-pollution-negotiations-treaty-kenya-fossil-fuel-climate-change#:~:text=Negotiations%20over%20a%20global%20plastics,how%20to%20advance%20the%20deliberations.  

12. Copley, Michael, “Global Talks to Cut Plastic Waste Stall as Industry and Environmental Groups Clash,” NPR, November 20, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/11/20/1214141053/un-plastic-waste-pollution-negotiations-treaty-kenya-fossil-fuel-climate-change#:~:text=Negotiations%20over%20a%20global%20plastics,how%20to%20advance%20the%20deliberations.   

13. Copley, Michael, “Global Talks to Cut Plastic Waste Stall as Industry and Environmental Groups Clash,” NPR, November 20, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/11/20/1214141053/un-plastic-waste-pollution-negotiations-treaty-kenya-fossil-fuel-climate-change#:~:text=Negotiations%20over%20a%20global%20plastics,how%20to%20advance%20the%20deliberations.  

14. “Fossil Fuel and Chemical Industries Registered More Lobbyists at Plastics Treaty Talks than 70 Countries Combined,” Center for International Environmental Law, November 15, 2023, https://www.ciel.org/news/fossil-fuel-and-chemical-industries-at-inc-3/.  

15. “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution,” UNEP, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.  

Bibliography: 

Copley, Michael, “Global Talks to Cut Plastic Waste Stall as Industry and Environmental Groups Clash,” NPR, November 20, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/11/20/1214141053/un-plastic-waste-pollution-negotiations-treaty-kenya-fossil-fuel-climate-change#:~:text=Negotiations%20over%20a%20global%20plastics,how%20to%20advance%20the%20deliberations.  

“Fossil Fuel and Chemical Industries Registered More Lobbyists at Plastics Treaty Talks than 70 Countries Combined,” Center for International Environmental Law, November 15, 2023, https://www.ciel.org/news/fossil-fuel-and-chemical-industries-at-inc-3/.  

“Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution,” UNEP, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.  

Plastics Europe, “The Global Plastics Treaty,” Plastics Europe, November 20, 2023, https://plasticseurope.org/changingplasticsforgood/global-plastics-treaty/.  

“United Nations Adopts Historic Resolution to End Plastic Pollution,” opc.ca.gov, Accessed February 26, 2024, https://opc.ca.gov/2022/03/united-nations-adopts-historic-resolution-to-end-plastic-pollution/.