Bending the Curve on Plastic Pollution: Summary for policy makers

Why upstream action and coalition pathways are essential to deliver results

Global plastic pollution continues to rise despite decades of policy focus on downstream waste management.

Negotiations towards an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution (ILBI) under UNEA Resolution 5/14 have progressed in form but remain politically stalled on several foundational questions. Central among these is whether the treaty will meaningfully address plastic production and consumption, or continue to focus on downstream action. Modelling undertaken by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd provides clear evidence that upstream action on plastic production is both necessary and effective. It also demonstrates that coalitions of countries acting together can deliver significant global reductions to production and consumption levels, as well as waste generation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, even in the absence of universal participation.

This briefing summarises the findings of the report Bending the Curve and their implications for the ILBI.