Plastics Treaty Must Remain Ambitious — We Can’t Give Up Now

After more than seven days of intense discussions during the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to develop a global treaty on plastic pollution, delegates were unable to finalize an agreement. The negotiations will resume in 2025, at a date to be determined.

While most countries advocated for a treaty addressing plastic pollution across its entire lifecycle-including strong rules on production and consumption, as well as chemicals of concern-some major oil-producing nations staunchly resisted including these measures.

Delegates agreed to resume negotiations based on the Chair's latest proposed text, which incorporates some elements of progress toward a more ambitious treaty, such as bans and phase-outs of certain harmful plastic products and chemicals, improved language on product design, and alignment of financial flows with the objective of the treaty. However, alternative options for this text with weaker language are also included, and critical issues remain as some countries continue to oppose ambition. While the Chair's latest text has certainly advanced the negotiations, "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed," as INC Chair Vayas reminded delegates.

"It's clear from where INC-5 landed that, while there is overwhelming support for a meaningful treaty-one that prioritizes human health and the environment-we'll need more than enthusiasm and high hopes to make INC-5.2 a success," said Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder, IISD's Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe. "All parties must continue to push for an equitable global treaty that reflects the full scale of the plastic pollution challenge and addresses it holistically. The stakes are too high to compromise on systemic change."

Full coverage of the plastics treaty negotiations can be found at IISD's Earth Negotiations Bulletin.