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AboutOur WorkProjectsPlastics TreatyNewsConnect

Plastics Treaty

BACKGROUND

THE GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY

Countries began negotiating a Global Plastics Treaty in 2022, which has the potential to transform the world’s approach to plastic. Due to the persistence of the anti-plastic movement, the treaty’s legally binding purpose includes addressing the problem at its source and reducing plastic production. But a small group of oil and gas producing countries – and their fossil fuel lobbyist backers – are doing everything they can to block the world majority from moving forward. PSF and BFFP continue to show up for treaty negotiations, countering the undue influence of the plastics industry and raising up the voices of vulnerable workers, communities and the environment to ensure an ambitious treaty that turns off the plastic tap. 
Learn more about what this opportunity represents for climate.
What does a high ambition plastics treaty look like?

(1) has a clear, ambitious and time bound target for capping and reducing virgin plastic production

(2) bans an agreed set of toxic chemicals from all virgin and recycled plastics

(3) mandates global controls on trade of plastic waste, chemicals, and feedstocks.

(4) contains targets for reuse and refill sufficient to provide the certainty industry requires to invest in the reuse economy

(5) includes a blueprint to a just transition for workers and communities currently dependent on the plastics value chain.

OPPORTUNITY

The Global Plastics Treaty (GPT) is a key opportunity for climate, health, ocean and biodiversity funders to address a growing crisis that is fuelled by single use plastics, which has negative impacts at every step of its lifecycle. According to the U.N. Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Anderson, this is “the most important international multilateral environmental deal since the Paris Climate Accord.”

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Latest Updates

INC 5.3: A New Chair is Elected

(09/Feb/2026) Julio Cordano of Chile was elected as the new chair of the Global Plastic Treaty negotiations. PSF looks forward to the next steps in the process to secure a treaty that turns off the plastic tap for good.

Calling for a Fair, Science-driven Plastics Treaty Grounded in Human Rights and Environmental Justice

(01/Dec/2025) Over 160 civil society organizations reaffirmed the urgent need for strong, transparent leadership in the next phase of Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. As the election of a new Chair approaches, the movement is calling for a process that is fair, science-driven, and grounded in human rights and environmental justice. The mandate is clear: deliver a legally binding treaty that addresses plastic pollution across its full life cycle. Read more.

The World Majority Protected Ambition for a Global Plastics Treaty

(20/Aug/2025) At INC 5.2 the world held strong for a Global Plastics Treaty that will actually stop the fossil fuel industry and its plastic crisis. The version of the treaty at the end of the talks was dangerously weak and would have locked in plastic production increases for years to come. Rather than assenting for the sake of consensus, the world majority said no – forcing the process to continue and keeping the fight for a powerful treaty alive. Read more. 

INC 5.2: Continuing the Momentum for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty

All the Plastics Treaty Updates