Global Plastic Treaty: Key Outcomes from the Latest Negotiations

The Global Plastic Treaty: Where Do We Stand? 

Last year, from November 25 to December 1, 2024, Busan, South Korea, hosted what was intended to be the 5th and final meeting on the Global Plastic Treaty. At least, that was the plan. However, despite extensive discussions, the meeting ended without a finalised agreement, pushing negotiations into 2025. 

What is the Global Plastic Treaty? 

The Global Plastic Treaty is a groundbreaking initiative under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aiming to establish a legally binding agreement to tackle plastic pollution at its source. Much like the Paris Agreement for climate change, the treaty seeks to reduce plastic production, eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics, promote sustainable alternatives, and ensure a just transition for communities and workers affected by plastic waste and industry shifts. It also focuses on corporate accountability, requiring industries to take responsibility for their products’ entire lifecycle, from production to disposal. 

A Divided Negotiation 

Over 100 countries advocated for capping plastic production as a way to address pollution at its root. Nonprofit organisations such as Greenpeace, Break Free From Plastic, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), and OSEAN were present, pushing for a strong and enforceable treaty. However, several oil-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Iran, and India, opposed such measures, favouring waste management strategies instead.

These countries argued for improving recycling processes and waste disposal infrastructure rather than limiting plastic production. 

Why Waste Management Alone is Not Enough 

Unfortunately, waste management strategies, such as improving recycling and disposal methods, are ineffective in tackling plastic pollution because they fail to address the root cause—excessive plastic production. Only about 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, and plastic production continues to grow at an unsustainable pace, far outpacing waste management capabilities. Incineration releases harmful toxins, landfills contribute to long-term pollution, and many countries lack adequate recycling infrastructure. Oil companies promote these strategies to shift the focus away from reducing production, as they heavily rely on the plastic industry for profits. A truly effective solution requires reducing plastic production at its source, promoting alternatives, and adopting circular economy practices rather than relying on end-of-life waste management. 

 What’s Next? 

The goal of finalising the Global Plastic Treaty has now been postponed to 2025, while plastic production continues to skyrocket, and new reports emerge almost weekly about plastic found in human bodies—from our bloodstreams to placentas. 

However, there is still hope. We have never been closer to achieving a legally binding plastic treaty. Rushing into an agreement just to meet a deadline would result in a weakened treaty filled with voluntary measures, which would be ineffective in solving the crisis. 

“INC-5 has moved us closer to a Plastics Treaty,” UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen stated on X at the summit’s end. “As ongoing divergence remains in critical areas, INC-5 has adjourned to allow for more time for these areas to be addressed.” She expressed confidence that an agreement will be reached in 2025 at what is being referred to as INC-5.2, ensuring that procedural questions are not reopened but that stronger measures can still be negotiated. 

What Can WE Do? 

While we pressure governments and nations to take action, change must also start with us. Here’s how you can contribute: 

• Reduce plastic consumption: Avoid single-use plastics whenever possible. 

• Demand corporate accountability: Ask local supermarkets and brands to cut unnecessary plastic packaging. 

• Sign petitions: Show policymakers that people care and demand strong policies. 

• Support nonprofits: Donate to and volunteer with organisations working to combat plastic pollution. 

• Educate yourself and others: Spread awareness about the plastic crisis and its impact on the environment and health. 

 The fight for a strong Global Plastic Treaty is far from over. With continued public pressure and commitment, we can ensure that 2025 delivers a bold and enforceable treaty that prioritises the health of people and the planet over industry profits. 

References: 

Break Free From Plastic, n.d. Plastics Treaty. [online] Available at: https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/plastics-treaty/ [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

European Commission, 2024. EU regrets inconclusive Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. [online] Available at: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-regrets-inconclusive-global-plastics-treaty-2024-12-02_en [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

Financial Times, 2024. UN plastics treaty talks fail after oil producers block output limits. [online] Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/737b609d-d660-4f91-a016-740d9c476642 [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), n.d. No Burn: A Vision Beyond Incineration. [online] Available at: https://www.no-burn.org/ [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

Global Plastic Treaty, n.d. Home. [online] Available at: https://www.globalplastictreaty.com/ [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

Global Plastic Treaty, n.d. Treaty. [online] Available at: https://www.globalplastictreaty.com/treaty [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

Greenpeace Australia, n.d. Global Plastics Treaty. [online] Available at: https://www.greenpeace.org.au/our-work/plastic/global-plastics-treaty/ [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

Mongabay, 2024. Deadlocked plastic treaty talks will lead to renewed negotiations in 2025. [online] Available at: https://news.mongabay.com/2024/12/deadlocked-plastic-treaty-talks-will-lead-to-renewed-negotiations-in-2025/ [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

OSEAN 2023, n.d. OSEAN Official Website. [online] Available at: https://osean2023.net/en/main/ [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

Reuters, 2024. Countries fail to reach agreement in UN plastic talks. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/over-100-countries-back-plastic-treaty-caps-talks-reach-fierce-finish-2024-11-30/ [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

United Nations, n.d. Nations Agree to End Plastic Pollution. [online] Available at: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/nations-agree-end-plastic-pollution [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), n.d. Global Plastics Treaty. [online] Available at: https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/global-plastics-treaty [Accessed 20 February 2025]. 

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