Posted on September, 25 2024

• The High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution (HAC) vows to end plastic pollution by 2040 and implement legally-binding measures such as cutting plastic production and banning harmful plastics and chemicals.
• WWF issues INC-5 “Must-Haves” that details what countries must stand firm on if the global plastic pollution treaty is to achieve its objective of ending plastic pollution. 
• WWF calls on HAC countries to deliver these critical measures as part of the global treaty to end plastic pollution and prioritise people and nature over short-term gains and industry interests. Should INC-5 result in a weak treaty, HAC countries will be held to account on commitments to pursue an ambitious binding global treaty through other forums.

GLAND, Switzerland (25 September) - WWF welcomes the commitments by the HAC set out in their joint INC-5 Ministerial Statement¹, and will hold the Coalition to these commitments at INC-5 in November when world leaders and representatives are scheduled to conclude negotiations on a global plastic pollution treaty.

More than 60 countries make up the HAC, including European Union members, Japan, Rwanda, Australia and most recently Kenya. Notably, the Coalition, in promising to end plastic pollution by 2040, committed to implement legally-binding measures such as reducing plastic production and consumption, phasing out problematic plastic products and chemicals, and ensuring a global non-toxic circular economy. 

“The HAC’s commitments inject much-needed energy and hope into the final stretch of these negotiations, which have, for the most part, been undermined by opposition from petrochemical lobbyists and a few oil-dependent countries undeterred by the damage that business-as-usual would inflict. Along with statements from many other governments, these commitments are proof that a global majority of countries want legally binding measures. Countries must now make these rules reality and not let vested interests water down the treaty," said Eirik Lindebjerg, Global Plastics Policy Lead, WWF International.

In addition to the HAC’s commitments, Nordic Ministers signed a declaration² today calling for a global ban on intentionally added microplastics and requirements for improved design of products to minimize microplastics. Ahead of INC-5, WWF calls for all countries to present their commitments and express support for binding global rules across the full plastic lifecycle. 

“In the 60 days from now till INC-5, nearly two million more tonnes of plastic will pour into our ocean. Businesses, scientists, civil society organisations and citizens worldwide have made clear that the only way out of this man-made crisis is through an ambitious and legally-binding global treaty - at INC-5, our governments have the chance to show that they too stand with the majority of the world’s population, and not against us,” added Lindebjerg.

Latest surveys show unequivocal public support for binding rules to regulate global plastic production and consumption, with 85% calling for a ban on unnecessary and harmful single-use plastics and 90% for a ban on hazardous chemicals used in plastics. Over 200 businesses have endorsed the development of an ambitious and effective global treaty to end plastic pollution.

As outlined in WWF’s “Must-Haves” paper³, WWF calls on countries to secure at INC-5 a treaty that includes four binding global measures across the entire plastic lifecycle:

• Global bans and phase outs of the most harmful and problematic plastic products and chemicals;
• Global product design requirements to ensure all plastic we continue to produce is safe to reuse and recycle as part of a global non-toxic circular economy;
• Aligning financial flows and resources to support nations in a just transition;
• Future-proofing the treaty through mechanisms that guarantee strengthening over time.

“Countries that are committed to ending plastic pollution must be prepared to act boldly and come to INC-5 prepared to vote in favour of all four measures. Should INC-5 conclude with a weak voluntary treaty, HAC countries must instead pursue the global treaty they promised through other forums. A treaty with binding measures supported by the majority of countries will be more effective than a voluntary-based treaty supported by all countries. The plastic pollution crisis is a global problem that demands a global solution. We must move beyond the voluntary mindset that has so far dominated our collective response,” said Lindebjerg.

ENDS

For further information, please contact news@wwfint.org

Notes to editors

1. See here for the HAC Member States Ministerial Joint Statement for INC-5.
2. See here for the Nordic Ministerial Declaration on Microplastics.
3. See here for WWF’s “Must-Haves” paper: “A Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution that People and Nature Need: Securing Essential Measures at INC-5”.

About WWF

WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit www.panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.