Ocean reports

At the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in 2022, the world celebrated as resolution 5/14 was adopted, convening an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. Since that high point, however, the process has steadily derailed. As we reflect on where we are and how to get where we need to be, in this briefing EIA experts outline the essential conditions for a successful resolution of the negotiations and recommendations for urgent course correction.

A distinct and harmful source of plastic pollution requiring dedicated language in the ILBI. The Global Plastics Treaty must include legally binding obligations on each Party to prevent, mitigate and remediate the impacts and occurrence of plastic abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing and aquaculture gear (ALDFG) across its full lifecycle.

In this briefing, we outline our final thoughts on the INC process, focusing on the strategic, political and technical considerations for landing an effective deal in Geneva.

The global plastic waste trade has become a conduit for financial crime, with criminals and organised crime groups exploiting regulatory loopholes to engage in fraud, bribery and money laundering under the guise of recycling.

To deliver on the UNEA 5/14 mandate to promote sustainable production of plastics, which is supposed to be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic, negotiators will need to agree on a way forward. This briefing presents the justifications for addressing production and outlines the framework for implementation.

The story of textile waste is not just about discarded clothes – it’s about a global system that shifts the burden of pollution from rich nations to poorer ones under the guise of charity and recycling.