Global Plastic Profiles 2025: Article 10 aims at just transition, but still falls short

Article 10 introduces Just Transition as a core element of treaty implementation, signalling a shift toward socially equitable environmental governance. The inclusion of a standalone article is significant, as it acknowledges the disproportionate impacts that treaty measures may have on informal workers, small businesses and marginalized communities. However, the strength of this inclusion is tempered by the use of non-binding language and the omission of detailed guidance that could anchor the article in operational reality. While the text recognizes the importance of aligning environmental goals with social protections, the absence of stronger commitments and defined mechanisms limits its transformative potential.

Divergences among countries reflect a broader tension between ambition and discretion. Developing-country blocs like GRULAC and the Arab Group advocate for robust support systems—financial, technical and institutional—to ensure the transition does not exacerbate existing inequalities. Countries such as Indonesia and Sri Lanka have emphasized international cooperation and the role of SMEs and waste workers in the transition, while others like Iran and Saudi Arabia focus on national capacity and public financing, often sidestepping informal sector concerns. The United States, meanwhile, has pushed for a flexible, nationally determined approach, resisting prescriptive or mandatory provisions.

These positions suggest that while Just Transition is a broadly accepted concept, its implementation remains contested. Without clearer obligations and a mechanism for COP to adopt binding guidance, the risk remains that the article will function more as a statement of intent than a driver of equitable change. Further negotiations will likely be required to bridge differences and solidify commitments.

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