Friends of the Earth International demands for the binding treaty on plastics

Friends of the Earth International calls for a legally binding global Plastics Treaty that prioritizes the full lifecycle of plastics, specifically targeting upstream production controls. The organization demands a mechanism to cap and phase down global plastic production, a ban on plastic waste exports from the Global North to the Global South, and the accountability of transnational corporations. The proposed framework rejects 'false solutions' like chemical recycling and plastic offsets, instead advocating for a 'Zero Waste Hierarchy' and a just transition that protects human rights and provides grant-based finance for the Global South.

• The treaty must move beyond voluntary approaches and establish binding measures and global targets to address the plastic, climate, and biodiversity crises, as historical voluntary corporate regulation has failed.
• To counter predictions that global plastic production will triple by 2050, the treaty should implement a mechanism to cap and phase down production and consumption through bans, restrictions, and the phaseout of producer petrochemical subsidies.
• The organization demands an end to 'waste colonialism' by banning all plastic waste exports from the Global North to the Global South, except in cases where exporting countries lack the infrastructure for safe management.
• Transnational corporations, specifically citing brands like Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and Unilever, should face direct obligations and targets due to their role in the plastic pollution lifecycle and their reliance on fossil fuels.
• The treaty must reject 'false solutions' that enable corporate profit without addressing root causes, including plastic credits, plastic offsets, chemical recycling, waste-to-energy, co-firing, co-processing, and plastic-to-fuel processes.
• A just transition should be centered on human rights and the 'Zero Waste Hierarchy' (refuse, reduction, repair, reuse, and redesign), treating recycling as a system of last resort.
• Financial support for the Global South should be based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and provided as grants rather than debt schemes through a dedicated global implementation fund.

APA

Friends of the Earth International (2024). Friends of the Earth International demands for the binding treaty on plastics. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Plastic-Treaty-Demands-3-PAGES-2.pdf

Chicago

Friends of the Earth International. Friends of the Earth International demands for the binding treaty on plastics. 2024. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Plastic-Treaty-Demands-3-PAGES-2.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Friends of the Earth International |title=Friends of the Earth International demands for the binding treaty on plastics |date=1 April 2024 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Plastic-Treaty-Demands-3-PAGES-2.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{friendsoftheearthinternational2024friends, author = {{Friends of the Earth International}}, title = {{Friends of the Earth International demands for the binding treaty on plastics}}, publisher = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2024}, month = apr, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Plastic-Treaty-Demands-3-PAGES-2.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }