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The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty gives voice to more than 300 businesses from across the plastics value chain, financial institutions and NGO partners, asking for an ambitious UN treaty that brings plastics into a circular economy, stopping them from becoming waste or pollution.
A statement from the Business Coalition, issued today, reads:
“Despite tireless efforts by the INC Chair and government negotiators to finalise a global treaty addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, it has not been agreed during INC 5.2 in Geneva.
Disappointingly, consensus among nations has remained elusive, which further delays critical action to tackle plastic pollution and capture the economic benefits that effective harmonised regulation would bring. This round of negotiations has failed to deliver the certainty that business needs to further mobilise investment and scale solutions to address plastic pollution.
We are however encouraged by the increased clarity achieved through three years of negotiations on the globally harmonised regulations across the full lifecycle of plastics needed to effectively tackle plastic pollution, and by the alignment among over 100 countries on the key elements – including phase-outs, product design, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). We reiterate our call for consistent and harmonised regulation on these elements.
This progress is something that we can and must build on. As businesses, we will continue working together to drive solutions but we know voluntary efforts alone will not be enough. We now urge governments to explore all options to make an agreement based on harmonised regulations across the full lifecycle of plastics a reality.
We, the 300+ members of the Business Coalition, stand ready to work with policymakers across the world in support of the globally harmonised regulations that business needs, and the majority of nations want.”
We’re disappointed at the lack of an agreement at INC5.2. These talks must translate to tangible action. There is cause for optimism; the strong alignment among governments, business and civil society groups calling for a treaty with harmonised regulations across the full lifecycle of plastics is encouraging. Harmonised regulations are essential to reduce business complexity and cost, whilst also increasing confidence to invest in solutions. We will continue our efforts to tackle plastic pollution and stand ready to support governments to deliver globally coordinated regulations.
Rebecca Marmot, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Unilever
Image credit: ©Von Wong Productions 2025 - Global Plastics Treaty INC 5.2 - TheThinker’s Burden / Le Fardeau du Penseur
Benjamin Von Wong - www.ThinkersBurden.com
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