World leaders fail to agree on a global plastic pollution treaty, despite a majority support for ambitious measures

Posted on December, 04 2024

WWF is disappointed that countries failed to reach an agreement during, what was meant to be, the final negotiations for a global treaty, despite a vast majority of governments demanding ambitious measures to end the plastic crisis. Negotiations will reconvene again in 2025.

A Missed Opportunity

The delay is a setback for the environment, people, and wildlife. Until global leaders finalize a treaty, the plastic crisis will continue to escalate. Since the INC process began in 2022, more than 800 million tonnes of plastic have been produced globally, with over 30 million tonnes polluting the oceans.

Plastic waste devastates ecosystems, endangers species, and poses risks to human health, as microplastics infiltrate food, water, and our own bodies. Every minute, 21,000 kilograms of plastic end up in oceans worldwide.

The negotiations aimed to establish a treaty addressing the entire life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal. However, time ran out in Busan. A minority of states with strong petrochemical interests obstructed progress, preventing the majority from advancing a strong agreement.

Reasons for optimism

Despite this disappointment, there are reasons for optimism. A significant majority of countries voiced clear support for ambitious binding measures to curb plastic pollution. These nations must now dial up their efforts to secure a treaty that people and nature need at INC-5.2, ensuring that the minority’s obstruction does not derail global progress.

In Busan, WWF, alongside Greenpeace and Break Free From Plastic, handed in almost 3 million signatures, signalling that the people demand change, and will not give up until we have a treaty fit for purpose. Further, the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty representing over 275 businesses and financial institutions, issued a statement, showing support for global rules across the full lifecycle of plastics.

The Path Forward

WWF remains committed to pushing for a treaty that includes binding global rules across the entire plastic lifecycle - specifically:

Global bans on harmful plastics products and chemicals of concern.
Product design requirements and systems to establish a non-toxic circular economy.
Aligned financial flows for effective implementation.
Robust decision-making mechanisms to adapt and strengthen the treaty over time.

The momentum from Busan must carry forward into the next negotiations. With continued public pressure and support, including millions of petition signatures, worldwide engagement and support, the global community must seize this chance to secure a strong treaty.

The stakes are clear: a binding agreement to end plastic pollution is critical for the future of our planet, ecosystems, and communities.

WWF will continue to fight for an ambitious plastics agreement and urges world leaders to act decisively in 2025.

Learn more about the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty:

WWF, Greenpeace and Break Free From Plastic, together with youth activists and other key stakeholders, handed in almost 3 million actions from over 180 countries.

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