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This executive summary from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) details the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire plastic lifecycle, from fossil fuel extraction to waste management. It argues that planned expansions in plastic production threaten the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C, potentially consuming a significant portion of the remaining carbon budget by 2050.

This fact sheet by the Center for International Environmental Law argues that the plastics and petrochemical industry uses "net zero" narratives to greenwash the expansion of plastic production. The document asserts that because plastic is derived from fossil fuels and emits greenhouse gases throughout its entire lifecycle, it is fundamentally incompatible with climate goals, and the only viable solution is to significantly reduce plastic production.

This executive summary from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) details the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the full lifecycle of plastics, arguing that current and planned production growth threatens the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5C. The document quantifies emissions from extraction, refining, waste management, and environmental degradation, concluding that immediate reductions in plastic production and the cessation of fossil fuel extraction are necessary to mitigate climate impacts.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) provides a critical analysis of the UNEP 'Options for Elements' Paper prepared for the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2). The document evaluates the proposed core obligations and control measures for a new legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, highlighting gaps where the Options Paper fails to reflect the ambition of Member State submissions, particularly regarding upstream production limits, chemical safety, and the protection of human health.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) examines the compatibility of a proposed international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. It argues that WTO rules do not prevent the implementation of an ambitious plastics treaty and provides recommendations for drafting treaty provisions to avoid trade disputes.

This case study by GreenCape describes the 'Flexible Packaging Solutions Showcase', an initiative by the South African Plastics Pact to identify and promote recyclable alternatives to problematic flexible plastic packaging, specifically targeting flexible polypropylene (PP) and multilayer multi-polymer structures.

The 'ROADMAP TO 2025' is a strategic document outlining the goals and activities of the South African Plastics Pact, a collaborative initiative launched in January 2020. The roadmap aims to transition South Africa from a linear 'take-make-waste' plastics economy to a circular system by 2025, focusing on eliminating problematic plastics, improving recyclability, increasing recycling rates, and boosting recycled content in packaging.

This policy analysis examines the development of a legally binding international treaty to end plastic pollution following UN Environment Assembly Resolution 5/14. It argues that for the treaty to be effective, it must address the overproduction of virgin plastics, the failures of the international waste trade (highlighting the impact of China's 2017 import ban), and the need for coordination between environmental goals and World Trade Organization (WTO) trade policies.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development provides an overview of the negotiations for an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, which were initiated following a March 2022 United Nations Environment Assembly resolution.

The 'State of Global Environmental Governance 2024' report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the intersection of environmental governance and a global 'polycrisis' characterized by geopolitical instability, climate disasters, and financial crises. It highlights a trend toward 'greenlash' and the increasing role of international courts in enforcing environmental commitments, while noting that global governance remains largely siloed across the Rio Conventions and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).

This briefing note from the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs provides recommendations for integrating human health protections into the development of a global instrument to end plastic pollution, specifically referencing the draft text in NP3.

This informal briefing note from the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs provides recommendations for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to ensure the protection of human health is integrated into a future international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. It argues that plastic pollution constitutes a public health crisis affecting every stage of the plastic life cycle and proposes three structural options for the treaty: an integrated approach, a standalone article on health, or a combination of both. The document details specific opportunities to embed health protections across various treaty articles, focusing on the elimination of harmful chemicals, sustainable product design, and the establishment of a science-policy interface to allow the treaty to evolve with emerging evidence.

This statement from the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS), delivered on 24 April 2024 at an INC-4 official side event, advocates for a 'holistic approach' to resource mobilization and financing to ensure the success of a treaty to end plastic pollution.

This briefing note by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs outlines strategies for integrating human health protection into the development of an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. It proposes a cross-cutting approach involving product design, information availability, implementation support, and a dedicated article on health to address adverse health impacts across the full plastic life cycle.

The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) issued a statement on 26 January 2024 regarding the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution (DPP). TESS supports the revised draft Ministerial Statement for MC13, emphasizing that the DPP should complement the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) process for a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. TESS advocates for a post-MC13 workplan that includes deep-dive sessions on trade-related cooperation, specifically addressing the needs of developing countries, least developed countries, and small-island developing states.

The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) issued a statement on 12 April 2024 regarding the WTO Dialogue on Plastic Pollution (DPP), supporting the Ministerial Statement and work plan launched at MC13 and urging members to achieve concrete outcomes by MC14.

The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) provided a pre-plenary statement on September 21, 2023, regarding the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP). TESS offers feedback on the first draft of a proposed statement for the Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13), urging members to increase ambition in the annexes, ensure environmental credibility, and align the WTO's work with the ongoing plastics treaty process and the Basel Convention.

The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) provided a draft statement on November 23, 2023, regarding the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP). TESS supports the revised draft Ministerial Statement for MC13, noting its evolution from identifying issues to agreeing on voluntary international cooperation to tackle plastic pollution.

The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) provided a statement at the WTO Dialogue on Plastic Pollution (DPP) pre-plenary meeting on 13 June 2024. TESS advocates for narrowing the DPP's scope to achieve concrete, actionable outcomes, specifically focusing on harmonizing definitions of single-use plastics, reforming HS nomenclature for better visibility of problematic plastics, and promoting trade in environmentally sound waste management technologies.

The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) provided statements to the WTO Dialogue on Plastic Pollution (DPP) on 18 September 2024. TESS announced a forthcoming guide for World Bank client countries on trade policies for plastic reduction (December 2024) and a policy paper with QUNO on plastic waste management technologies. TESS proposed a WTO-hosted global repository for trade-related policy measures and emphasized the need for domestic inter-ministerial coordination. Finally, TESS urged members to submit proposals by 10 October 2024 for HS Amendments to improve transparency in the trade of single-use plastics.