Progress toward a comprehensive global treaty to combat plastic pollution took significant strides forward during the fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) meeting

held in Canada this week, attended by the UK and representatives from 170 countries.

With over 2,500 delegates participating, the INC-4 discussions focused on urgent actions needed to address the plastic crisis, covering all aspects from production and consumption to waste management. The UK played a pivotal role in advocating for an ambitious treaty encompassing the entire lifecycle of plastics.

Key outcomes from the meeting include plans championed by UK Environment Minister Rebecca Pow to address problematic and avoidable plastic products, which have been integrated into the draft treaty text. Additionally, expert groups will conduct preparatory work ahead of the fifth meeting (INC-5) to contribute to the treaty's design. The draft treaty text was also reviewed for efficiency and clarity to support future negotiations, with the establishment of a legal drafting group to ensure legal precision in the agreement.

Minister Pow emphasized the UK's commitment to pushing for ambitious measures within the treaty, despite existing differences among parties regarding its level of ambition. While progress on some key areas has been slower than hoped due to these differences, incorporating UK proposals into the draft text marks a significant step forward. The UK remains dedicated to securing the best outcome for oceans, communities, and wildlife at the final negotiations in November.

Recently, the UK, alongside 64 other members of the High Ambition Coalition (HAC), signed a Joint Ministerial Statement advocating for mandatory provisions in the forthcoming treaty. The HAC emphasizes addressing the full lifecycle of plastic as a crucial aspect of the treaty's scope.

The upcoming fifth and final INC meeting, scheduled to take place in South Korea by year's end, will mark the culmination of negotiations between United Nations member states. Photo by Muntaka Chasant, Wikimedia commons.