October 19, 2023
We welcome the ‘Zero Draft’ for a Global Plastics Treaty (UNEP/PP/INC.3/4) prepared by the INC Chair, which in our view forms a good basis to continue negotiations at INC-3 in Nairobi in November 2023.
Businesses respond to certainty.
The ‘Zero Draft’ is a comprehensive document that contains various options for potential treaty provisions that could support progress on all three global outcomes we call for in our Vision Statement: Reduction, Circulation, and Prevention alongside Remediation to achieve a circular economy for plastic and to end plastic pollution.
We believe that the final treaty must contain strong and legally-binding provisions that require national governments to implement and enforce harmonised regulations over the full life-cycle of plastics. It is encouraging to see all of our policy recommendations are, to some extent, reflected in the structure of the ‘Zero Draft’.
UN Member States have the opportunity to further strengthen the draft legal text and create alignment on the most ambitious options.
At INC-3 it is important for governments to develop a common understanding of what each option entails and strengthen binding elements. We stand ready to work with governments and stakeholders in this important next stage of the treaty negotiations.
Explore our view on the “Zero Draft”
In the two documents below we provide a comprehensive assessment along with a high-level summary for those sections in the ‘Zero Draft’ that are related to our focus areas. We have also set out where we think the INC should agree on intersessional work to be carried out.
Webinar 1, 23 October 2023
Webinar 2, 24 October 2023
Chemicals and polymers of concern
Problematic and avoidable plastic products
Reduce, Reuse, Refill and repair of plastics and plastic products
Product design and performance
Extended Producer Responsibility
Waste management
The draft treaty text includes a (sub-)section related to this focus area, but the proposed provisions do not reflect the Business Coalition’s recommendations.
The draft treaty text proposes provisions that are at least partly aligned with the Business Coalition recommendations, but some major changes still need to be incorporated and/ or it lacks the necessary references to develop technical specifications to make them meaningful, operational and enforceable.
The draft treaty text proposes provisions that are mostly aligned to the Business Coalition’s recommendations, and it references the need to develop technical specifications to ensure harmonised implementation.
The draft treaty text proposes provisions that are aligned to the Business Coalition’s recommendations, and it requires technical specifications to be adopted by the INC or the future governing body to help governments to implement harmonised and effective regulations.
The draft treaty text contains both the legal provisions and the technical specifications needed to help governments to implement harmonised and effective regulations in line with the Business Coalition’s recommendations.