Business disappointed by failure to secure global plastics treaty
The International Chamber of Commerce has issued the following statement at the conclusion of the latest round of intergovernmental negotiations on a proposed UN plastics treaty:
Plastic pollution
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental challenge that knows no borders. As governments negotiate the first international treaty on plastic pollution, ICC is working to ensure business perspectives are reflected. We advocate for a treaty that is workable, effective and capable of driving the transition to a circular and resilient global economy.
Go directly to:
Plastic pollution requires coordinated international action.
It damages ecosystems, harms communities and weakens natural systems that support economies.
The adoption of the United Nation Environment Assembly (UNEA) Resolution 5/14 marked a historic turning point, whereby countries agreed to negotiate a legally binding global agreement to end plastic pollution.
Through the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) process, governments, businesses and civil society are working to build the first international framework capable of driving systemic change across the plastic value chain.
ICC, representing businesses of all sizes and industries, has been engaged from the outset to ensure the agreement can drive real-world impact and work in practice. We are focused on securing a treaty that sets clear direction, attracts investment and creates the frameworks needed to beat plastic pollution and build a more circular, resilient and sustainable economy.
We’re working towards a plastic treaty that is:
EFFECTIVE
Align ambition with economic reality to deliver real impact across the plastics value chain
WORKABLE
Ensure measures are practical, implementable and viable for all economies and business sizes
CIRCULAR
Promote innovation and circular design, and transform how plastics are made, used and recovered
This work is led by:
ICC Global Environment and Energy Commission
Raelene Martin, Head – Sustainability & Daniel Grajales, Policy Manager – Environment
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What we stand for
The scale of plastic pollution demands solutions that are both effective and workable. Policy measures must prioritise plastic products and applications with the highest proven risk of environmental leakage – that is, plastics escaping into nature due to poor waste management. This should be done using common, evidence-based and application-specific frameworks to continuously improve waste management and circularity. These efforts should also account for national circumstances, technical capacity and socio-economic realities to ensure actions are fair, effective and practical to implement.
A supportive, enabling environment is necessary to ensure everyone can contribute effectively to ending plastic pollution. This includes robust capacity building efforts and a strong financial mechanism capable of turning treaty commitments into concrete action.
The treaty must also encourage the broadest possible uptake, particularly among micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which represent around 90% of businesses globally and hold enormous potential for meaningful impact. These firms are often at the forefront of innovative solutions – from biodegradable materials and reusable product designs to new recycling technologies – but they will require well-designed enabling frameworks to support their transition to a circular plastics economy.
Targeted financial incentives, calibrated fiscal interventions to improve access to finance, and support for research and development will all be important, alongside phased implementation, shared infrastructure, education and awareness-raising. To help ensure these specific needs are reflected in the negotiations, ICC convened regional MSME Dialogues to bring the perspectives of smaller enterprises directly into the process and to advocate for a treaty that sets a workable trajectory and brings all stakeholders along.
Latest publications and insights
ICC statement urges action to secure UN plastics treaty
At the mid-point of the ongoing UN plastics treaty negotiations in Geneva, the International Chamber of Commerce has issued the following statement:
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On behalf of global business, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) stressed the urgent need to conclude an effective and workable agreement on plastic pollution at the opening plenary of the second part of the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2). The negotiations resumed in Geneva, Switzerland, after parties failed to agree on a legally binding global plastics treaty in December 2024.
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ICC INC-5 closing statement
ICC's closing plenary statement delivered to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on plastic pollution in Busan, South Korea
Business priorities for an effective international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has called on governments to secure an ambitious, workable, effective and inclusive agreement at the last negotiating round of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan – one that rallies all actors of society, including the business community, in the collective charge to end plastic pollution and that sets the frame and direction for accelerated business action.
Circular material flows for research and innovation
This policy brief takes a deep dive into the potential of the circular economy and the role of innovation in waste management with a focus on challenges in shipping waste for research purposes. It includes case studies that demonstrate how current laws and regulations impact company investments in circular innovations.
Preliminary business recommendations for an ambitious UN instrument to end plastic pollution
This paper sets out ICC’s business recommendations for the development of an ambitious, effective and workable legally binding instrument (LBI) to end plastic pollution, as an Ad hoc Open-Ended Working Group is meeting in Dakar from 29 May to 1 June 2022 to start the work on this issue.
