Global plastics treaty talks resume in Geneva amid calls for bold action

SWITZERLAND – The United Nations Environment Assembly is set to convene the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.2) from August 5–14, 2025, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. 

The negotiations aim to finalize a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, following stalled talks at INC-5.1 in Busan, South Korea, in December 2024. 

With plastic pollution escalating, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is urging negotiators to prioritize binding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and a global ban list targeting harmful plastics.

Zaynab Sadan, global plastics lead at WWF, emphasized the urgency of the treaty. 

“Since the last negotiation round in Busan, over 4 million metric tons of plastic have entered the ocean,” she said. 

“A weak treaty will fail communities most affected by plastic pollution. We call on states to use all procedural tools, including voting, to deliver a robust agreement.”

WWF advocates for a global ban list targeting non-essential single-use plastics and hazardous materials like polystyrene, PVC, and bisphenols, which are linked to health risks such as endocrine disruption and cancer. 

“These materials have no place in a safe, circular economy,” Sadan stated, noting that essential plastics, like those used in medical packaging, should be regulated under harmonized global design standards to ensure safety and recyclability.

The treaty’s potential to reshape EPR schemes is a focal point. According to WWF, binding EPR obligations would require countries to establish systems for managing plastic waste, particularly packaging, which accounts for 31% of global plastics use. 

“Eco-modulation of EPR fees can incentivize circularity,” Sadan explained, “rewarding businesses with lower fees for reusable, recyclable designs and penalizing those with poor sustainability.”

The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, comprising over 300 major companies, supports these calls, advocating for harmonized regulations to drive innovation and level the playing field. 

Recent updates indicate growing momentum, with 95 countries endorsing the “Nice Wake-Up Call” statement in June 2025, pushing for production caps and phase-outs of toxic chemicals.

However, challenges persist. A report by the Center for International Environmental Law highlights concerns over fossil fuel lobby influence, with over 370 unresolved text brackets in the draft treaty. 

WWF also cautions against over-relying on bio-based or biodegradable plastics, which require specific infrastructure and may pose environmental risks if mismanaged. 

“These are not silver bullets,” Sadan warned. “Systemic change prioritizing reuse and recovery is essential.”

As Geneva hosts INC-5.2, alongside side events like art installations and science dialogues, the world awaits a treaty that could redefine sustainable packaging and curb the global plastics crisis.

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