The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, which is co-chaired by Unilever, has endorsed a declaration calling on all governments to agree a global objective to achieve sustainable levels of virgin plastic production.
Known as the Bridge to Busan Declaration, it comes just one month ahead of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (Plastics Pollution INC-5) which will take place 25th to 1 December in Busan, Republic of Korea. The discussions will seek to conclude an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution including the marine environment. Unilever is one of more than 250 organisations across the plastics value chain calling for the agreement to address the full life cycle of plastics, including production.
The Bridge to Busan Declaration calls on governments to commit to three key goals, these being: achieving sustainable levels of production of primary plastic polymers; ensuring transparency in the production of primary plastic polymers; and agreeing to a global objective regarding the sustainable production of primary plastic polymers. The Declaration has been signed by several countries, including the European Union and the UK as well as stakeholders and businesses.
“We know that a voluntary, fragmented and non-specific set of policy measures determined differently in each country will add significant barriers and costs to implement the necessary changes at scale. Businesses want a legally binding treaty that tackles the entire life-cycle of plastic products, underpinned by harmonised regulation,” the |Business Coalition said.
As well as plastics producers and converters, the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, which was launched during September 2022, includes financial institutions, brand owners and retailers, waste management companies, NGOs and business organisations.
With the ambition of delivering a final treaty in Busan, the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty would like to see a final document include several critical elements including: “Strong provisions to restrict or phase out problematic and avoidable plastic production as well as chemicals of concern, along with improvement in product design and recycling at national level.”
The fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) was held during April in Ottawa, Canada.
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