Business coalition for a global plastics treaty
The development of a legally binding UN treaty is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle the...
A UN treaty based on legally-binding global rules and comprehensive circular economy measures is a unique opportunity to accelerate systems change and end plastic pollution.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is calling for a treaty that is based on:
Legally binding global rules.
These are crucial to stimulate the investment and innovation essential to driving global change.
Comprehensive circular economy measures, with a focus on upstream action.
To achieve meaningful progress, we must reduce our use of plastics, increase reusereuseThe repeated use of a product or component for its intended purpose without significant modification. models and fundamentally redesign our approach to plastic packaging across its whole lifecycle.
Prioritising plastic packaging.
A treaty should initially focus on the types of plastic most likely to end up in the environment - including packaging, which creates around 40% of total plastic waste.
With only two years to negotiate a treaty, we cannot afford delays.
To maintain momentum, the upcoming INC-2 negotiating session in Paris at the end of May should result in a zero-draft treaty text being created.
Negotiations for a UN treaty to end plastic pollution
Formal negotiations for a UN treaty to end plastic pollution started in November 2022, with the first meeting of the International Negotiation Committee, also known as INC-1, commencing in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
Negotiations will now continue at the second International Negotiation Committee (INC-2) in Paris, France, from 29th May - 2nd June.
INC-2 marks a crucial stage in the negotiations as it will set the agenda for what will likely be included in the draft of the treaty.
Ahead of INC-2, the INC Secretariat created a document outlining potential elements towards an international legally binding instrument.
This document is based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastics, and considers both legally binding and voluntary measures. It is informed by the submissions by UN member countries outlining their positions on the treaty.
Other stakeholders, including the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s had the opportunity to provide submissions for consideration of the Member States. You can see the details of our three submissions below.
Initial considerations for global rules in the UN treaty to end plastic pollution
To support the development of an ambitious and effective UN treaty, this submission by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to the INC Secretariat aims to:
showcase the need for concrete objectives, global rules and obligations in the treaty
and provide initial options and considerations on the nature of these rules and obligations.
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The Foundation also contributed to a joint submission with the Pew Charitable Trusts, Minderoo Foundation and CDP. This focused specifically on sections II and III of the response template prepared by the Secretariat, and provided feedback on the following questions:
How to ensure effectiveness of the instrument and have efficient national reporting,
and what are other relevant proposals or priorities
From single-use to reuse: A priority for the UN treaty
As part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s engagement to support the development of an ambitious and effective international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, this briefing highlights:
the need to prioritise reuse in the UN Plastics treaty,
initial considerations for policy measures to overcome current barriers to scaling reuse.
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Business Coalition for a Global Plastics treaty
The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty is convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF, in collaboration with aligned businesses and supported by strategic NGO partners.
The Coalition's shared vision, endorsed by all members, sees the treaty as the key policy mechanism to accelerate progress in three critical areas:
the reduction of plastic production and use through a circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. approach,
increased circulation of all necessary plastics,
and the prevention and remediation of hard-to-abate micro- and macro-plastic leakage into the environment.
Aligned with this vision, the Coalition will be developing ambitious policy recommendations, engaging with treaty negotiators, and building confidence in the business community on the benefits and necessity of an effective treaty that sets common goals, rules, and obligations to be implemented in national jurisdictions.
To find out more about the Business Coalition and how it plans to achieve its vision for a circular economy for plastics, visit the website.
2021 white paper
In August 2021 the Foundation published a white paper that set out its perspective on a UN treaty to address plastic pollution and support the transition to a circular economy for plastics. It looks back at some of the Foundation’s key learnings as well as important resources.
The white paper includes:
key messages for policymakers,
why the political reasoning for a treaty on plastics is well supported,
and how the shape of the treaty could usefully draw on existing efforts.
Through voluntary agreements like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and UNEP’s Global Commitment, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Plastics Pact Network, we have already seen +1,000 organisations take significant steps towards a circular economy for plastic. Businesses and governments have committed to change how we produce, use, and reuse plastic, with concrete 2025 targets and year-on-year reporting.
Policymakers have a critical role to play in creating the right conditions and incentivising progress. A legally-binding instrument to end plastic pollution (UN treaty) is the next necessary step, if we are to scale the successful voluntary agreements already in place. It's not an either / or situation - we need common, urgent action that builds on this momentum to amplify current efforts and level the playing field.
By setting out global goals and legally binding targets, together with national action plans and consistent measurement, a UN treaty to end plastic pollution will:
harmonise policy efforts
enhance investment planning
stimulate innovation
and coordinate infrastructure development.
