Planet Over Plastic: What does Article 1 of the Global Plastics Treaty say?

The Global Plastics Treaty is a proposed legally binding international agreement designed to end plastic pollution. Its development commenced in 2022, following a historic resolution adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

An International Negotiating Committee (INC), convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, has met five times since then, with the latest session occurring in Busan, South Korea, in late 2024.

The second part of its fifth session (INC-5.2) is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from August 5-14, 2025. The treaty’s primary objective, outlined in Article 1, is to eliminate plastic pollution, specifically aiming to protect human health and the environment, including marine environments.

This ambitious goal necessitates a comprehensive, full life-cycle approach to plastics, encompassing every stage from design and production volumes to consumption and ultimate disposal.