Plastic pollution is a monumental challenge requiring a united global response. In November 2024, negotiators are meeting for at INC-5, the fifth and final session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to forge a Global Plastics Treaty. This historic opportunity is a chance to confront plastic pollution at its root and protect human and environmental health. How can this be realised? Find out in our recommendations,
The Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, has published a 'Non-Paper' to act as a basis for discussions. This paper is the most feasible route forward for reaching an agreement within a reasonable timeline. However, it doesn't guarantee a high-impact treaty on plastic pollution. Read the details in our response to the paper.
World leaders are on their way to Busan, South Korea, for a historic negotiation: INC-5, the final round of negotiations for a UN treaty to end plastic pollution. What can we expect? How can a plastics treaty confront plastic pollution at its root, protect health, and preserve the environment? Read our blog to find out.
Join us on 10 July (new date) for an insightful online session to discuss critical developments from the Plastics Treaty negotiations. We will look at outcomes from the last negotiations as well as next steps, the expectations for the upcoming negotiations, and the role of standards in implementing a treaty that reduces plastic pollution.
Within the proposed text of the Global Plastics Treaty there are many calls to develop global voluntary standards. Standards are necessary to align and scale up technologies and systems that stem plastic pollution and manage our limited resources. Any standards created to implement the UN Global Plastic Treaty must include equitable participation from a wide range of impacted communities and sectors. Read our recommendations for how to achieve effective reference to standards in the Global Plastics Treaty.
The ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on the UN Global Plastic Treaty offer a unique opportunity to address the root causes of plastic pollution. An international legally binding instrument on plastics pollution, the treaty should ensure the appropriate use of standards and prioritise provisions that reduce plastic pollution, avoid regrettable substitutions, and harness the power of transparency. To make progress, with time running short for negotiations, we urge negotiators to urgently address these priority issues and essential measures.
It was another busy year for standards and environmental policy in 2023. At ECOS, we took on new challenges, expanded our work programme, and grew the team and network – with our growing impact set to continue into 2024. As we approach the end of the year, here is a snapshot of some key moments from the last 12 months.
In November 2023, United Nations delegates convened for a third round of negotiations to discuss the ‘zero draft’ of the UN Plastics Treaty – a crucial international initiative to put an end to plastic pollution. Unfortunately, little progress was made with only one year left until the end of the process, but there is also good news: all options remain on the table, with strong indications of how international standards will be integral to the success of the Plastics Treaty.
ECOS is co-funded by the European Commission and EFTA
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
