The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4), concluded on April 30 in Ottawa with an advanced draft text of the instrument and agreement on intersessional work ahead of the fifth session (INC-5) in November.

More than 2,500 delegates participated in INC-4, representing 170 Members and over 480 Observer organisations including - non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and UN entities. INC-4 marked the Committee's largest and most inclusive gathering to date, with Observer participation increasing by almost fifty per cent.

Over the course of INC-4, delegates worked on negotiating the Revised Draft Text of the international legally binding instrument. Delegates discussed, among other things: emissions and releases; production; product design; waste management; problematic and avoidable plastics; financing, and a just transition.

Activist and environmentalist groups have termed the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations that concluded in Ottawa, Canada, on Tuesday as “disappointing”. The treaty aims to decrease worldwide plastic production, especially targeting primary plastic polymers known for their environmental and health hazards. Talks have also highlighted the need to enhance waste management practices globally. However, the recent negotiations' results underscore the intricate dynamics involving national interests, industry pressures, and environmental activism. 

During the negotiations, a noticeable split emerged between nations pushing for strict reductions in production and those hesitating to commit to binding agreements. 

Environmental advocacy groups and certain progressive nations have advocated for ambitious objectives such as a global reduction target of 40% in plastic production by 2040, using 2025 as the baseline. However, this proposal encountered opposition, particularly from major plastic-producing countries and petrochemical-dependent industries. 

Discussions also addressed critical environmental and scientific issues, such as the lifecycle of plastics and their broader ecological impacts, including the accumulation of persistent microplastics. Consensus emerged around extended producer responsibility (EPR) and the necessity for global regulations, signaling a shared recognition of the imperative for systemic changes in global plastic management.

INC Members also agreed on intersessional work – expert meetings that take place between the official INC sessions – that is expected to catalyze convergence on key issues. In addition, Members decided to create an Open-ended Legal Drafting Group to form at INC-5, serving in an advisory capacity by reviewing elements of the draft revised text to ensure legal soundness.

“We came to Ottawa to advance the text and with the hope that Members would agree on the intersessional work required to make even greater progress ahead of INC-5. We leave Ottawa having achieved both goals and a clear path to landing an ambitious deal in Busan ahead of us,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). “The work, however, is far from over. The plastic pollution crisis continues to engulf the world and we have just a few months left before the end of year deadline agreed upon in 2022. I urge members to show continued commitment and flexibility to achieve maximum ambition.”

Moving forward, negotiators have committed to engaging in formal intersessional efforts to fine-tune the implementation strategies of the treaty, with a specific focus on addressing chemical issues and enhancing product design. This preparatory work is deemed crucial as it sets the stage for the ultimate round of negotiations slated for November in Busan, Korea.

The fourth session follows INC-1 in Punta del Este in November 2022, INC-2 in Paris in May/June 2023, and INC-3 in Nairobi in November 2023. INC-5 – set to be the end of the INC process – is scheduled for November 2024 in Busan, the Republic of Korea. Compiled from various reports