Various organizations, coalitions, NGOs and brands are disappointed that INC-5.2 ended without a concrete Global Plastics Treaty, but express their optimism that negotiators are starting to align on the core tenets of an effective text.
The European Commission warns that, without global intervention, plastic production could triple by 2060. In its view, the latest draft of the Global Plastics Treaty is “a step forward, but not enough.”
Other organizations express similar sentiments, with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation feeling “deeply disappointed by the lack of an agreement” and Plastics Europe “disappointed that negotiations in Geneva failed to deliver a legally binding global agreement to end plastic pollution.”
“Disappointingly, consensus among nations has remained elusive, which further delays critical action to tackle plastic pollution and capture the economic benefits that effective harmonized regulation would bring,” comments the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty. “This round of negotiations has failed to deliver the certainty that business needs to further mobilize investment and scale solutions to address plastic pollution.”
Jacob Duer, president and CEO of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, adds that the organization “was anticipating a global agreement because we know that an enabling framework and harmonized targets will aid all of us in delivering a circular economy for plastics and the environmental, social, and economic benefits the world needs.”
He continues: “The lack of such an instrument, at least for now, has impressed on me the value of the work we do, as it is apparent that alone, the important advocacy work done by many different organizations has not yielded the results everyone is looking for.”
While the Business Coalition underlines that over 100 countries agree on similar measures for phase-outs, product design, and extended producer responsibility, it emphasizes that “voluntary efforts alone will not be enough. We now urge governments to explore all options to make an agreement based on harmonized regulations across the full lifecycle of plastics a reality.”
On a more positive note, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s executive lead for Plastics and Finance, Rob Opsomer, states that he is “encouraged by the alignment developed over the last three years of treaty negotiations among a majority of countries, business, and civil society on a comprehensive approach to tackle plastic pollution across the full lifecycle.
“Such alignment did not exist before the start of negotiations – and provides a strong basis to build off going forward.”
Similarly, Unilever’s chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs officer, Rebecca Marmot, asserts that “there is cause for optimism; the strong alignment among governments, business and civil society groups calling for a treaty with harmonized regulations across the full lifecycle of plastics is encouraging.
“Harmonized regulations are essential to reduce business complexity and cost, whilst also increasing confidence to invest in solutions.”
“These talks took place against the backdrop of geopolitical complexities, economic challenges and multilateral strains,” explains Inger Andersen, UN Under-Secretary General and executive director at UNEP. “While we did not land the Plastics Treaty text we hoped for, one thing remains clear: despite these complexities, all countries want to remain at the table.
“We heard every country say they want to beat plastic pollution. They want a deal. Is it easy? No. But do countries want an end to the environmental, economic and health impacts of plastic pollution? Absolutely.”
On that note, the organizations remain committed to developing an effective treaty. Plastics Europe envisions a text that encourages the sustainable production and consumption of plastics, introduces effective waste management where it is not yet available, and recontextualizes end-of-life plastic as a “valuable commodity” rather than waste.
“We welcome the decision to continue talks and urge all UN member states to resume multilateral efforts without delay,” the organization says. “In Europe, we will continue working with policymakers to deliver our Plastics Transition roadmap – a clear path to circularity and net zero by 2050 – while boosting competitiveness and innovation.”
On behalf of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, Jacob Duer expresses a similar sentiment: “We must continue to be focused on real action, on delivering impact at speed and scale, to deliver the systems change needed in so many countries and communities.
“We will continue to implement our Strategy 2030 and be focused on working on the larger-scale, integrated programmes needed to solve some of the most significant challenges in waste management in developing countries as well as the challenges to plastics circularity.
“We also remain committed to working with all stakeholders – governments, industry, financial institutions and civil society – to achieve a treaty that is ambitious, enabling and implementable. Crafting an agreement that works for nearly 200 countries, each with different priorities and capacities, is no small feat. But it is possible. Trust and will are the foundations for finding that way.”
The European Commission also pledges that the EU “will keep pushing for a stronger, binding deal, for us and future generations.”
“We at UN Environmental Programme will continue the work against plastic pollution – pollution that is in our groundwater, in our soil, in our rivers, in our oceans and yes, in our bodies,” Inger Andersen concludes.
These organizations aren’t the only ones backing an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty, with big brands like Unilever, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and PepsiCo having signed an open letter urging negotiators to finalize a ‘robust’ and ‘ambitious’ plastic pollution treaty at INC-5.2.
The signatories emphasized that they consider harmonized regulations the “most effective way to pursue a lasting impact on plastic pollution while delivering economic, environmental and social value” at a national and global level.
For an in-depth understanding of this negotiation round, check out our rolling coverage of INC-5.2 – featuring contributions from our correspondents at Searious Business, Willemijn Peeters and Emma Samson, and more.
If you liked this story, you might also enjoy:
The ultimate guide to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in 2025
How are the top brands progressing on packaging sustainability?
Everything you need to know about global packaging sustainability regulation in 2025
The key to increasing the use of reusable packaging in supermarkets
No comments yet