Posted on November, 24 2024

• WWF, Greenpeace and Break Free from Plastic delivered almost 3 million signatures from over 180 countries demanding that governments make good on their promise to establish a legally binding global treaty that can put an end to plastic pollution.
• The signatures were delivered a day before the start of the pivotal fifth and final negotiations for the treaty, known as INC-5.
• Amid a year of dismal environmental progress and failed summits, INC-5 is a critical opportunity for governments to secure a win for people and the planet.

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (24 November 2024) - At a moment when strife and division seem to be colouring the world, almost three million people¹ from over 180 countries were united in their belief that governments must make good on their promise made two years ago to establish a legally binding global plastic pollution treaty across the entire plastic lifecycle.

WWF, Greenpeace and Break Free from Plastic delivered the signatures to Rwanda Environment Management Authority Director General Juliet Kabera and US Senator Jeff Merkley in a ceremony held a day before the start of the pivotal fifth and final negotiations for the treaty, known as INC-5.

Representing the wishes of millions of concerned citizens, child activists from the Republic of Korea, Hannah Kim, eight, and Jeah Han, 12, along with renowned poet Nikita Gill handed over the petition at a WWF event attended by government leaders, civil society organisations, businesses, and scientists who had gathered to discuss solutions for ending the world’s current plastic pollution crisis.

Kim and Han are part of a group of activists who successfully waged a four-year long climate suit against the Republic of Korea’s government for failing to protect the rights of future generations and passing an excessive burden to them. Their win means the Republic of  Korea’s national assembly must now set legally binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2031-2049 by February 2026, a landmark ruling that marked a significant victory for climate action in Asia. INC-5 will be held in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Irish-Indian Gill, known for her heartfelt poems, is Britain’s most-followed poet on social media with devoted fans ranging from celebrities like Alannis Morissette to award-winning novelists like Monique Roffey.
 

Nikita Gill, poet and writer, said:

“I am here in Busan today, representing the voices of millions who are asking our world leaders to put our beautiful planet before profits during this week’s Plastics Treaty negotiations. I hope these voices are being heard and can inspire key decision-makers because this is our only chance to secure a treaty that will drastically reduce plastic production and use for the sake of our collective future”.

Hannah Kim, Baby Climate Litigation Activist, said:

“Imagine a future where the ocean is free of plastic islands, our communities thrive, and we can breathe clean air. I strongly hope that our generation's demands to respond to the climate and plastic crisis will be heard.”

Jeah Han, Baby Climate Litigation Activist, said:

“If our planet is in danger, so is my future. While children's voices can draw attention, it is the adults with decision-making authority who can truly drive change. We are calling for action and demanding that governments all around the world address the climate and plastic crisis.”

Eirik Lindebjerg, WWF Head of Delegation to INC-5 and Global Plastics Policy Lead, said:

“These signatures reinforce what is already commonly known - that a legally binding global treaty that regulates plastics across the entire lifecycle and eliminates harmful plastic products and chemicals is the only way our leaders can deliver on their promise to end plastic pollution. We simply cannot achieve this goal through fragmented and voluntary actions which have dominated our collective response for so many years. At INC-5, governments can and must create the treaty people are demanding, one which decisively and definitely protects people and nature now and for generations to come.” 

Graham Forbes, Greenpeace Head of Delegation to the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations and Global Plastics Campaign Lead at Greenpeace USA, said:

“These signatures are more than a million reasons why the world cannot continue on this path of unchecked plastic production. The negotiation that will happen here in Busan this week is an unmissable chance to move away from harmful throwaway culture and create a future where our health, climate, and planet thrive.”

Von Hernandez, Break Free From Plastic Global Coordinator, said: “Millions worldwide demand a strong Plastics Treaty to reverse the global plastic pollution crisis now harming our health, our climate, and the planet’s life support systems. World leaders gathering here in Busan must deliver an agreement that progressively cuts the unfettered production of plastic and eliminates the toxic chemicals associated with their manufacture and use. Anything less than this would be a regrettable missed opportunity.”

WWF calls on countries to secure at INC-5 a treaty that includes four essential binding global measures across the entire plastic lifecycle:

1. Global bans and phase outs of the most harmful and problematic plastic products and chemicals;
2. 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;
3. Aligning financial flows and resources to support nations in a just transition;
4. Future-proofing the treaty through mechanisms that guarantee strengthening over time.

By WWF’s count, a majority of governments have already called for, or support such measures². It’s a question of whether they will keep their promises.

WWF urges governments to reject any attempts at watering down or excluding core measures that must be included in the treaty. Should disputes arise or if a treaty borne out of consensus yields weak measures, governments must be willing to vote to get the treaty that we need.

ENDS

For further information, please contact news@wwfint.org.

Notes to editors

1. A total of 2,899,202 people from over 180 countries signed a petition demanding the world establish a legally binding global plastic pollution treaty. This effort was led by WWF and Greenpeace, and supported by dozens of Break Free from Plastic member organizations including Plastic Pollution Coalition, Story of Stuff, Only One, EarthDay, Fenceline Watch, Plastic Change, Nipe Fagio, Friends of the Earth Action, Defend Our Health, Plastic Free Future, Trash Hero World, Plastic Free Delaware and 5 Gyres Institute.
2. According to WWF’s Global Plastic Navigator, an interactive platform tracking governments’ positions on various treaty measures:
   1. 146 countries have called for or supported global bans and phase-outs of problematic and avoidable plastic products and chemicals of concern;
   2. 147 countries have called for or supported global product design requirements and systems for the transition toward a non-toxic circular economy;
   3. 167 countries have called for or supported implementation support mechanisms;
   4. 102 countries have called for or supported evidence-based mechanisms that can strengthen the treaty over time.

Photos and videos will be made available here after the event has concluded. 

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