UN Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution

The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-3) took place at the headquarters of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya, over 13-19 November 2023. The event convened a diverse assembly of over 1 500 participants, including representatives from governments, academia, civil society organisations, private sector entities, UN bodies, and international organizations. Additionally, an extra 1 000 participants joined the discussions through the live webcast (including representatives from the BPF).

As global concerns around the impact of plastic pollution escalate, participants gathered for INC-3 with a Zero Draft crafted in collaboration with the INC Secretariat. However, during the INC-3 meeting in Nairobi, the diverse interpretations of this UNEA resolution became clear. Delegates expressed differing opinions on addressing the ‘full life cycle of plastic’, with some advocating for measures targeting plastic production, while others leaned towards downstream actions to eradicate plastic waste. Some delegates focused on establishing enduring design standards for plastic products.

The UK, along with 52 other members of the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) to End Plastic Pollution, has endorsed a comprehensive Ministerial Statement. This statement advocates for the creation of an ambitious international treaty addressing plastic pollution and safeguarding the marine environment. The statement urges the incorporation of various mandatory provisions into the ongoing negotiations for the global plastic pollution treaty. These provisions encompass reducing the production and consumption of primary plastic polymers to sustainable levels, eliminating unnecessary, avoidable, or problematic plastics, chemicals, and products, and putting an end to the release of plastics into nature, among other measures. However, particular details at this point are still unclear. The HAC statement builds on the UK’s wider commitments and work to protect and enhance the marine environment.

The primary objectives of the INC-3 meetings were to advance the development of the International Legally Binding Instrument (ILBI) using the Zero Draft as a foundational document. Delegates also grappled with issues not previously considered, such as general provisions concerning scope and definitions. They utilised a Synthesis Report compiled by the Secretariat to guide discussions and decide on a plan for intersessional work.

Delegates worked in contact groups, dedicating much of the meetings to proposing textual submissions for inclusion in a revised Zero Draft. Ultimately, consensus emerged that preparing a revised Zero Draft was required, but despite lengthy discussions, agreement on a mandate for intersessional work in preparation for INC-4, scheduled for April 2024, will not be mandated. Therefore, there will be no formal work to develop the revised Zero Draft between now and late-April.  Informal bilateral may still occur ahead of INC-4, with several member states expressing a willingness to engage in informal bilateral work immediately following the conclusion of the negotiations.

Going forward, Canada will host INC-4 in Ottawa from 21-30 April 2024, and that the Republic of Korea will host INC-5 in Busan at the end of November 2024. The BPF are looking to register and attend INC-4 in-person. The provisional agenda can be found here, and the BPF’s position statement is available online.