Unprecedented opportunity for nations to unite against global plastic pollution

Marta Longhurst

Global Treaty Manager, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Nations met in Ottawa for INC-4 to advance a global treaty against plastic pollution. As time runs out, unified efforts and ambitious legislation are crucial.

From our beaches to our parks and streets, plastic pollution is all around us. Countries across the globe have a chance to address this problem.

Technical discussions on plastic treaty advanced

At the end of April, representatives from nations all over the world gathered in Ottawa for INC-4, the fourth round of talks toward a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. The treaty offers a unique, unprecedented opportunity for countries to unite against plastic pollution. With just one round of talks remaining, time is running out to finalise a powerful agreement.

Some progress was made during the negotiations in Ottawa. The treaty text advanced, gaining broad support from countries to include important circular economy principles, such as enabling refill and reuse systems.

Disagreements on global plastic strategy

While some delegations suggested focusing solely on measures relating to waste management, any effective treaty will need to include elements that reduce our use of all virgin plastics. We cannot simply recycle our way out of the plastic pollution crisis.

Divisions also remained over whether plastic pollution should be tackled in a globally coordinated way or whether it should be up to each nation to determine its own approach. A globally coordinated effort is essential to tackle this crisis. Until this is agreed by delegates, we will not see action at the pace and scale that is needed if we revert to national solutions.

Robust legislation is necessary

Lessons learned from five years of the Global Commitment — the biggest movement of its kind encompassing 20% of plastic packaging put on the market — showed voluntary action alone, although important, cannot bring the change at the level required. It needs to be supported by robust, ambitious legislation.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, alongside WWF, convened the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty in 2022. Since then, over 200 businesses, financial institutions and NGO partners have endorsed the vision of a treaty backed by circular economy principles and have called for harmonised regulations.

Attention now turns to INC-5 in South Korea later this year, where countries will meet one final time to decide whether to seize the opportunity for a huge leap in the battle against plastic pollution.