Business Needs Global Rules | Our reflections on the INC-4 outcome

We took part in the fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) in Ottawa, Canada to highlight to negotiating governments that there is unprecedented agreement across the plastics value chain on a number of realistic and achievable globally binding rules, which can and should underpin an effective treaty, while enabling a just transition for all people involved in the plastics value chain.

Over the course of the negotiations in Ottawa, we were encouraged to see discussions advance with member states tabling proposals on the Business Coalition’s priority areas such as restrictions and phase-outs, product design and extended producer responsibility (EPR) as well as on the mobilisation of financial resources for the implementation of the treaty. We welcome the decision to advance these discussions through formal intersessional work between now and INC-5 in Busan, Republic of Korea, in November this year.

‍We agree on the importance of reducing plastic production and use through a circular economy approach, in line with our vision for an ambitious, effective and legally binding Global Plastics Treaty. We therefore support the initiative led by Rwanda and Peru to advance further discussions on related provisions in the plastics treaty that can help deliver this important outcome over time. In this context, scaling reuse and refill models provides one of the greatest opportunities for the treaty to promote collective action by policymakers, businesses, and financial institutions.

We stand ready to work alongside governments and observers to support the agreed experts groups on intersessional work, and assist them on developing an ambitious and effective Global Plastics Treaty. Building on lessons from voluntary corporate efforts, we know that global binding rules are a critical lever to scale solutions, spark innovation and mobilise investments. Currently, we still see too much emphasis of INC members on national measures instead of global rules, although a patchwork of fragmented policy measures will not solve the problem.

Businesses respond to regulatory certainty. We believe that defining global rules in the treaty is not only achievable but also good for business.Business needs global rules to level the playing field for industry and end plastic pollution.

There is no time to waste, and ambition is critical to success. At UNEA 5, UN member states agreed to “end plastic pollution”. We must not settle for a treaty that falls short of delivering this goal.

"It is encouraging to see increasing alignment across stakeholders, including civil society and businesses, in calling for global rules. All of the evidence is telling us that establishing global rules on key reduction, circulation and prevention measures in the treaty is the only effective way forward. Fragmentation of national policies leads to business-as-usual, and it is concerning to see so many states still advocating for voluntary approaches. We stand ready to work alongside committed governments and observers in this next stage of developing an ambitious and effective Global Plastics Treaty.” - John Duncan & Carsten Wachholz, The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty Secretariat Co-Leads

The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty brings together over 220 companies and organisations working across the plastics value chain, to give confidence to the negotiating UN Member States that business needs global rules.