What Is The Global Plastics Treaty?

The Global Plastics Treaty aims to become a legally binding agreement to tackle plastic pollution by addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, including production, use, and disposal. Successful implementation will require coordinated global efforts, robust monitoring systems, and financial support for developing nations to transition to more sustainable plastic alternatives.

by Prince Asiedu

The Global Plastics Treaty, anticipated to mark a significant milestone in the fight against plastic pollution, was not adopted as expected during the fifth session of the International Negotiation Committee (INC-5) in December 2024, held in Busan, South Korea. 

A coalition of oil-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, opposed provisions in the treaty that would impose restrictions on plastic production, emphasizing that the focus should be on waste management and recycling [1]. This opposition created a deadlock, leaving critical issues unresolved and delaying the treaty’s adoption. 

Under the treaty, countries are expected to commit to phasing out harmful plastics, including single-use plastics and non-recyclable materials, by 2035. The treaty also sets ambitious goals to reduce overall plastic production, promote recycling, and incentivize the development of sustainable alternatives like biodegradable plastics [2]. 

One of the key mechanisms of the treaty is extended producer responsibility (EPR), which holds manufacturers accountable for the environmental impacts of their products from creation to disposal. This includes ensuring manufacturers contribute to recycling and waste management efforts, reducing the burden on public systems, and enhancing a circular economy [3].

The Importance of the Treaty: Impact on Nature, Consumers, and Producers

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, with over 462 million tons of plastic produced globally every year [2]. 

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this pollution has far-reaching effects on ecosystems, human health, and economies. Large quantities of plastic waste end up in oceans and other ecosystems, harming marine life, polluting food chains, and disrupting biodiversity. Reports by MBRC The Ocean show that more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year [4]. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates that plastic pollution costs the global economy more than $13 billion yearly in damage to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and tourism industries. 

In addition to these ecological concerns, the production of plastic is a major contributor to climate change. The treaty seeks to address this issue by reducing the reliance on fossil fuels in plastic production and promoting more sustainable alternatives that are less energy-intensive and recyclable [2].

The ongoing negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty are already influencing key stakeholders, even before its binding adoption. 

For consumers, the discussions raise hopes for cleaner environments, tackling the plastic pollution that plagues ecosystems. Anticipation of stricter regulations is driving shifts toward sustainable behaviors, with alternatives to single-use plastics gaining traction. 

For producers, the treaty presents challenges and opportunities. Many manufacturers are preemptively adopting cleaner practices, despite potential short-term costs, while also integrating lean innovation in alternative materials and waste management technologies. 

For nature, the heightened focus on reducing waste and enhancing recycling systems offers hope for ecosystem recovery. The negotiations have spurred awareness and action, marking progress even amid unresolved issues [5, 6, 7].

The Journey to the Global Plastics Treaty

The journey toward a Global Plastics Treaty began with growing global concern over plastic pollution’s environmental and economic impacts. In March 2022, during the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), governments worldwide acknowledged the need for a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution and agreed to begin negotiations. This decision was the result of years of advocacy from environmental organizations, scientists, and governments who recognized that voluntary measures were insufficient to tackle the scale of the problem [8]. 

The treaty reflects an unprecedented level of international cooperation, drawing input from a broad range of stakeholders, including civil society, industry leaders, and affected communities. It builds on earlier efforts such as the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, a global initiative to reduce plastic waste, but goes much further by establishing enforceable commitments and a robust framework for monitoring and accountability.

The negotiations leading up to the treaty have been marked by challenges, particularly in balancing environmental goals with the economic interests of plastic-producing industries. Some critics have expressed concern that the treaty may not be ambitious enough in certain areas, particularly in the timelines for phasing out certain plastics. Others have raised alarms about the treaty’s reliance on technologies such as chemical recycling, which they argue may not offer the long-term solution needed [9]. 

Despite these criticisms, the treaty is widely regarded as a significant step forward in addressing a global environmental crisis, with much anticipation surrounding its potential impact. The ongoing negotiations have emphasized the importance of including financial and technical support for developing countries, ensuring that low-income nations will have the resources needed to transition from plastic dependence and implement sustainable alternatives, should the treaty be adopted [10].

Moving Forward: Implementation and Monitoring

The success of the Global Plastics Treaty will depend on effective implementation, strong monitoring systems, and adequate financial support. 

Nations will be required to develop national action plans that outline how they will meet the treaty’s goals, with regular reporting to a central body for review. 

A key feature of the treaty is the establishment of a compliance committee tasked with tracking progress and holding governments accountable for meeting their obligations. For the treaty to be effective upon adoption, it will be crucial to have a comprehensive monitoring framework in place, along with transparent reporting on key indicators, such as reductions in plastic production, improvements in recycling rates, and reductions in plastic waste in oceans and landfills [2].

A major hurdle in achieving the treaty’s objectives will be financing. Although the treaty acknowledges the need for support for developing countries, there are concerns about the availability of sufficient funding. 

Wealthier nations are expected to contribute to a global fund that will help low-income countries transition to sustainable plastic alternatives, but the scale of investment required remains uncertain. As the ongoing negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty continue, governments will need to carefully balance potential regulations with industry innovation, ensuring that both global and local businesses can adapt to new production standards once the treaty is finalized. The discussions have highlighted the importance of forging collaboration between the public and private sectors, with many experts emphasizing the need for robust monitoring mechanisms and a commitment to innovation [1]. 

Overcoming these challenges will also require a focus on financial and technical support, particularly for developing countries, which are expected to face significant transitions in their production practices [11]. 

These steps are critical to ensuring the treaty’s future success, with the continuation of the INC-5 negotiations set for INC-5.2 in 2025. The upcoming sessions will focus on resolving key outstanding issues, such as production limits and funding mechanisms, while advancing discussions on the role of developed nations in supporting developing countries. The outcome of these negotiations will play a pivotal role in shaping the treaty’s final structure and its potential to effectively address global plastic pollution.

References:
[1] Earth.Org, 2024. The Outcome of the Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations in Busan: A Pivotal Moment or a Missed Opportunity? [online] Available at: https://earth.org/the-outcome-of-the-global-plastic-treaty-negotiations-in-busan-a-pivotal-moment-or-a-missed-opportunity/ [Accessed 9 December 2024].
[2] World Wildlife Fund (WWF), 2024. Global Plastics Treaty. [online] Available at: https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/global-plastics-treaty [Accessed 7 December 2024].
[3] Kosior, E., & Crescenzi, I. (2019). Solutions to the plastic waste problem on land and in the oceans. Plastic Waste and Recycling, 415-446. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-817880-5.00016-5
[4] MBRC the Ocean, 2024. Shocking Plastic Statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.mbrctheocean.com/pages/shocking-plastic-statistics [Accessed 6 December 2024].
[5] Nayanathara Thathsarani Pilapitiya, P., & Ratnayake, A. S. (2024). The world of plastic waste: A review. Cleaner Materials, 11, 100220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clema.2024.100220
[6] Kibria, M.G., Masuk, N.I., Safayet, R. et al. Plastic Waste: Challenges and Opportunities to Mitigate Pollution and Effective Management. Int J Environ Res 17, 20 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-023-00507-z
[7] Kumar, R., Verma, A., Shome, A., Sinha, R., Sinha, S., Jha, P. K., Kumar, R., Kumar, P., Das, S., Sharma, P., & Vara Prasad, P. V. (2020). Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions. Sustainability, 13(17), 9963. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179963
[8] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2024. International Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution. [online] Available at: https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution [Accessed 8 December 2024].
[9] Willis, K. A., Putten, I. V., & Hardesty, B. D. (2024). Addressing cultural context is the missing piece in policy solutions to plastic pollution. Environmental Science & Policy, 159, 103829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103829
[10] UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (2023). Redirecting Financial Flows to end Plastic Pollution. Geneva.
[11] UN News, 2024. Negotiations on Global Plastics Treaty Make Progress but Challenges Remain. [online] Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/12/1157646 [Accessed 9 December 2024].