The report, What is Mission Critical at INC-5 for an Effective Global Plastics Treaty?, by the University of Portsmouth's Global Plastics Policy Centre (GPPC), identifies four essential actions for the final round of negotiations at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to secure a robust and impactful treaty.
The Global Plastics Treaty negotiations have reached a critical stage. The GPPC has been tracking the Treaty process since the negotiations began in 2022, including conducting interviews after each INC meeting to gain insight into the perspectives of those involved in the negotiations.
Professor Steve Fletcher , Director of the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth, said: "An ambitious Plastics Treaty is crucial for addressing the escalating global plastics crisis. Plastic pollution impacts ecosystems, economies, and human health across the globe. Without strong, binding commitments that address the full life cycle of plastics, the Treaty risks falling short of the bold action needed to create a sustainable future."
The report reveals that across the four previous INC meetings, most interviewees expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for an effective Treaty. However, confidence in the Treaty's potential has diminished as the INC process has advanced, with the least positive responses after INC-4 regarding the Treaty's potential effectiveness.
An ambitious Plastics Treaty is crucial for addressing the escalating global plastics crisis. Plastic pollution impacts ecosystems, economies, and human health across the globe. Without strong, binding commitments that address the full life cycle of plastics, the Treaty risks falling short of the bold action needed to create a sustainable future.
Professor Steve Fletcher, Director of the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth
The report emphasises the following mission-critical actions as necessary to overcome obstacles and deliver a truly effective Treaty:
Stronger role needed by the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) to advance negotiations
The report emphasised that greater coordination and a united front from the HAC could help counteract the influence of lower ambition members and ensure that critical issues such as the Rules of Procedure and the inclusion of upstream measures are not overlooked.
Dr Antaya March , Research Lead for the Global Plastics Policy Centre at the University of Portsmouth, said: "The HAC has a unique opportunity to unify around an ambitious vision and ensure the Treaty addresses critical issues like plastic production and lifecycle management. A coordinated HAC stance will be essential for resisting attempts to water down the Treaty."
Establishing Clear Rules of Procedure with a Voting Mechanism
An immediate priority at INC-5 is the formal adoption of Rules of Procedure, including a voting mechanism as a fallback if consensus cannot be reached. Interviewees expressed concern that without agreed procedures, any one party could obstruct crucial decisions. This procedural clarity is critical for moving forward on contentious issues, such as upstream measures to control plastic production.
Defining a Full Life Cycle Approach to Plastics
The report calls for adopting a comprehensive "full life cycle" definition in the treaty, covering all stages from production to disposal. Such an approach ensures upstream measures on plastic production are included, addressing the problem at its source. Without this broad scope, efforts may be focused solely on waste management, missing critical opportunities to reduce plastic pollution across the entire supply chain.
Adopting a "Start and Strengthen" Framework with Flexibility for Extensions
Acknowledging the complex nature of the treaty text, the report advocates a "start and strengthen" framework, which would lay a strong foundation and allow further additions in future meetings. Interviewees advise flexibility in extending the negotiation timeline if needed to avoid rushing critical provisions, which could undermine the treaty's effectiveness.
Antaya March explained: "Our research shows that an effective Treaty must not sacrifice ambition in a rush to reach agreement. A flexible but robust framework will help ensure the Treaty is comprehensive and can adapt to future needs."
The High Ambition Coalition has a unique opportunity to unify around an ambitious vision and ensure the Treaty addresses critical issues like plastic production and lifecycle management. A coordinated HAC stance will be essential for resisting attempts to water down the Treaty.
Dr Antaya March, Research Lead for the Global Plastics Policy Centre at the University of Portsmouth
The full report will be launched this week at a webinar at the University of Portsmouth, where experts will discuss the critical role of the High Ambition Coalition and the strategic actions necessary to achieve an impactful Global Plastics Treaty.
Professor Fletcher added: "We hope this report serves as a valuable resource for those leading the negotiations at INC-5. By highlighting the mission-critical actions needed for a successful Treaty, we aim to support negotiators in making informed decisions that will drive meaningful progress toward ending plastic pollution."
