With the second round of negotiations complete and support for an ambitious treaty clear, the process now moves to developing a first draft of the treaty text.
As the second round of negotiations for a UN treaty to end plastic pollution have drawn to a close in Paris, we wanted to reflect on this important milestone in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set down legally-binding global rules.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation INC-2 reflections
To be effective in tackling plastic pollution, the treaty needs to be based on comprehensive 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. measures including reduction, redesign and reusereuseThe repeated use of a product or component for its intended purpose without significant modification. and on legally binding global rules. These are critical to drive change at global scale to end plastic pollution.
We are encouraged that more than 130 member states taking part in the negotiations in Paris during the second round of Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-2) expressed support for globally binding rules. These are vital to effectively drive systems’ change by stimulating the required levels of investment and innovation.
We welcome the progress made in the negotiations in Paris and the agreement by the Member States to develop a first version of the treaty text (a “zero-draft”) which will form the basis for the negotiations taking place at INC-3 in Kenya later in the year. The first draft of the treaty must reflect the ambition shown by many governments last week and include obligations and measures that drive reduction and innovation upstream because we can’t recyclerecycleTransform a product or component into its basic materials or substances and reprocessing them into new materials. our way out of the plastic crisis.
This treaty is a unique opportunity to drive global policy action and tackle plastic pollution and we remain committed to supporting the negotiations in the best way we can.
The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty’s INC-2 statement can be read here.
Here are some helpful resources you can use to catch up on what happened in Paris.
The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, convened by the Foundation and WWF, participated in a High Ambition Briefing Event, alongside government ministers, civil society, and youth organisations to identify what makes an ambitious, effective and legally-binding treaty that will end plastic pollution. You can re-watch the livestream here.
We hosted Eirik Lindebjerg, Global Plastics Policy Lead at WWF and Carsten Wachholz, Business Coalition Secretariat Co-Lead on the latest episode of the Circular Economy Show, where they spoke about the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, and why +100 businesses and financial institutions are calling for clear, harmonised global rules and measures to end plastic pollution. You can watch the episode here: https://lnkd.in/em4RfsU7 or listen here: https://lnkd.in/evJiNjHi.
We launched a paper on Reuse, highlighting why it should be a priority for the treaty, and outlining some initial considerations for policy measures to overcome current barriers to scaling reuse.
We also joined UNEP, the World Economy Forum, Upstream and the World Wildlife Fund in a collective call to action, for more emphasis on reuse solutions during INC-2. Together we have been championing the Global Plastic Action Partnership’s Reuse Portal, an open collaborative platform for businesses, policymakers and others, to access practical guidance, tools and networks to take action and drive momentum for reuse solutions.
Our next Circular Economy Show episode due to be published on the 27th of June will feature INC-2 and why reuse should be a key priority in the treaty. Make sure not to miss it by subscribing to our YouTube channel here.
Find out more about what an ambitious treaty looks like here.
Find out more about the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty here.
