This special webpage highlights global developments in addressing plastic pollution, focusing on the growing importance of the circular economy as a solution. It also showcases IGES contributions to this agenda, including its environmental policy insights, related publications, and events.
Plastic Pollution as a Global Agenda
Nearly a decade has passed since plastic pollution and its countermeasures began to be recognised as a major global agenda. A key turning point in this recognition was the 2016 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation*, which warned that by 2050, the weight of plastic in the oceans could exceed that of fish. Following this, significant milestones included resolutions on marine plastic litter and single-use plastics at the 2019 UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4). Furthermore, in June 2019, at the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth, Japan established the “G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter”, marking another major step forward.
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution
The significance of plastic pollution as a global agenda has continued to grow, leading to intensified negotiations for a coordinated international framework.
In March 2022, the UNEA-5 resolution "End Plastic Pollution" paved the way for the creation of a legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution. This led to the establishment of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), tasked with drafting the agreement. After four previous meetings, an agreement on the content of the commitment was expected to be reached at INC-5, held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from 25 November to 1 December 2024. However, without consensus, negotiations were postponed to another session (INC-5.2), held in Geneva from 5 to 15 August 2025. Despite efforts to finalise the draft global plastics treaty, an agreement was not reached and the adoption of the treaty was deferred.
* The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics
Related Publications
Related News
Towards a Plastic Waste-Free Galle City: A Collaborative Journey to Sustainability
Related Events
Breaking the Plastic Habit in ASEAN: Behaviour-Centred Interventions for Lasting Plastic Reduction
Promoting Evidence-based Policymaking to Tackle Marine Plastic Pollution in Asia-Pacific
South to South Cooperation and Peer Learning for Effective EPR Policy Development - Closing Conference: Strengthening Plastic Pollution Management in Asia and the Pacific
Breaking the Plastic Habit in ASEAN Countries: Project Phase II ‐ Expanding the Application of Behavioural Insights to Reduce Single-use Plastic Waste in Cities and Communities in Asia
Breaking the Plastic Habit in Asia: A Public Dialogue On the Application of Behavioural Insights
ISAP2024 Plenary 3 (PL-3) "Current Status of International Negotiations on the Global Plastic Treaty and the Way Forward"
Looking at regime building for global actions to tackle plastic pollution, this session reviews some of the major discussion points at the INC as observed by key figures leading and supporting the negotiations. Considering the important role played by Asian countries, the session also delivers a presentation about the role played by IGES to foster regional collaboration and targeted actions in Asia.
Related Projects
UNEA Special webpage
Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency
Related Links
