The next round of United Nations negotiations (INC-5.2) aiming to create a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty will take place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5 to 14 August, following the failure of INC-5 to reach an agreement.
The conclusion of INC-5, which took place 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, South Korea, and was supposed to be the final draft meeting, ended with a number of unresolved issues that contributed to the lack of consensus and delay in forming the treaty, according to Ocean Conservancy Vice President of Conservation for Ocean Plastics Nicholas Mallos.
“With over a garbage truck’s worth of plastics entering the ocean each minute, every second counts in addressing the ocean plastic pollution crisis, and we are disappointed that the finalization of the plastics treaty has been delayed,” Mallos said. “At the same time, Ocean Conservancy remains determined to use this extension as an opportunity to continue fighting for a strong and ambitious treaty that rises to the occasion and meets the plastic pollution crisis with the urgency it demands. We are grateful to high-ambition countries like Panama and others for pushing to keep these negotiations on track, and we look forward to working with member states to finalize a plastics treaty at INC-5.2.”
Among the disagreements was language used in the treaty draft text proposed by INC Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso that referred to production reduction targets as “aspirational,” rather than using specific national targets and stronger language that Panama and more than 100 other countries proposed.
Additionally, a majority of countries supported key actions such as primary plastic reduction, eliminating or reducing chemicals of concern, and establishing an equitable financial mechanism but were held back by a small group of opposing nations.
Nations in the Global South in particular, including Pacific Island countries, want a greater emphasis placed on the origin of plastic pollution entering the ocean. Ocean currents and wind transport the debris from many locations in the Global North to waters that are supposed to be protected. For example, the Palmyra Atoll runs an entire program to collect drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) washing up on the atoll’s reef and ones that drift into reserve boundaries.
“At INC-5.2, it is essential that countries listen to observers who have first-hand knowledge of the impacts of plastics throughout their life cycle and to science without conflicts of interest. It is important that the treaty reflects the voices of the Global South, because by doing so, environmental justice would be achieved,” Cecilia Bianco, a toxics coordinator at economic development agency Taller Ecologista, told nonprofit GAIA. “With a solid treaty, the Global South can be better protected against the interests of the Global North, which impose their will through economic power and market control, imposing trade agreements and relegating the countries of the Global South to the role of suppliers of natural resources.”
While challenges remain in finalizing an ambitious and comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty, ongoing efforts by individuals and nonprofits offer examples of innovation that help mitigate the effects of plastics in the meantime. Initiatives like oyster farms in Maine replacing plastic equipment with sustainable materials and the ISSF developing biodegradable fish aggregating devices demonstrate grassroots steps toward reducing plastic pollution.
