June 10, 2025
We, 280+ businesses from across the plastics value chain, financial institutions and NGOs part of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, welcome the “The Nice Call for an Ambitious Treaty on Plastic Pollution” ministerial statement issued on the 10th of June 2025, in Nice, France.
It is a timely and critical signal, ahead of the resumed negotiations (INC 5.2) in Geneva in August showing that UN member states are increasingly aligned on how the treaty can meaningfully address the plastic pollution crisis. The statement, endorsed by ministers and representatives from over 90 countries thus far, builds on momentum seen at INC 5.1 in Busan and reflects strong alignment between countries, businesses and civil society on the need for a comprehensive legally binding global agreement that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics.
This call is also echoed in the Business Call to Action: Land and Sea, a Vital Connection for a Thriving and Resilient Economy UNOC declaration, which has been signed by the Business Coalition and 70+ businesses and supporting organisations from 25 countries who acknowledge the urgent need for an ambitious global plastics treaty as a cornerstone of ocean protection and economic resilience.
The priorities highlighted in the “Nice wake up call for an ambitious plastics treaty” ministerial statement are critical to the clarity and global harmonisation that businesses need from the treaty, and in alignment with our positions on several points:
Besides harmonisation on key areas – for example bans on problematic and avoidable products and product design standards – there is also a need for a globally harmonised approach for national extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, with key principles and minimum requirements. These would support countries in delivering on their national ambitions while ensuring a level playing field for businesses.
This clarity and consistency won’t come at the expense of economic growth, as some might believe. On the contrary, a robust treaty with strong global obligations is the most effective way to tackle plastic pollution while enabling innovation and investment:
With less than two months left until INC 5.2, we are encouraged by the significant progress reflected in this statement, and stand ready to work with governments to build on it before and during INC 5.2, in support of an ambitious, legally binding treaty.
“Global harmonisation is essential to solving the plastic pollution crisis. This ministerial statement sends a strong signal that governments are ready to commit to harmonised regulation for key elements that can drive consistency across borders, while supporting national ambitions.” – Jodie Roussell, Global Public Affairs Lead - Packaging and Sustainability at Nestlé & Co-Chair of The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty
The draft treaty text includes a (sub-)section related to this focus area, but the proposed provisions do not reflect the Business Coalition’s recommendations.
The draft treaty text proposes provisions that are at least partly aligned with the Business Coalition recommendations, but some major changes still need to be incorporated and/ or it lacks the necessary references to develop technical specifications to make them meaningful, operational and enforceable.
The draft treaty text proposes provisions that are mostly aligned to the Business Coalition’s recommendations, and it references the need to develop technical specifications to ensure harmonised implementation.
The draft treaty text proposes provisions that are aligned to the Business Coalition’s recommendations, and it requires technical specifications to be adopted by the INC or the future governing body to help governments to implement harmonised and effective regulations.
The draft treaty text contains both the legal provisions and the technical specifications needed to help governments to implement harmonised and effective regulations in line with the Business Coalition’s recommendations.