Towards Plastic Pollution INC-2

The second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) will take place in Paris, France, from 29 May to 2 June 2023. At the first meeting (INC-1), governments requested the secretariat to prepare a document to be considered at INC-2 with potential options for elements towards an international legally binding instrument, based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastics as called for by UNEA resolution 5/14.

About the INC Process

For several years, plastic pollution has been a major issue raised at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) and other global fora. On 2 March 2022, 175 countries participating in UNEA-5.2 got together and adopted the resolution 5/14 End plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument, recognizing that “the high and rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution represent a serious environmental problem at a global scale, negatively impacting the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development”. This historic resolution mandates the UNEP Executive Director to convene an International Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop and adopt a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastics. This landmark decision thus launched the process towards a global plastics treaty, which should be developed by the end of 2024.

Note by the Secretariat on dates and venues of subsequent sessions of the INC

More on International Cooperation on Plastic Pollution

Pre INC-2 Sessions

The first two meetings for the development of the international legally binding agreement on plastic pollution took place in 2022. In May 2022, the ad hoc open-ended working group (OEWG) met in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting resulted in a proposed draft rules of procedure for the work of the INC. Member States then met in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 28 November to 2 December for the first meeting of the INC to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

Outcomes, events & resources | Towards Plastic Pollution INC-1

Towards INC-2

The second session of the INC will take place in Paris, France, from 29 May to 2 June 2023. Ahead of INC-2, regional consultations were held on 28 May 2023. As requested at the end of the first session, at INC-2 the committee will take stock of the document prepared by the secretariat presenting potential options for elements towards an international legally binding instrument. As requested, the document released by the Secretariat on 13 April 2023 , is based on a comprehensive approach addressing the full life cycle of plastics, as called for UNEA resolution 5/14, and reflects the views expressed by Member States during the first session of the committee and in their written submissions.

The Secretariat analyzed the 243 written submissions from member states and other stakeholders, available on the INC secretariat website. These included categories suggested in a guiding template (objectives; core obligations, control measures and voluntary approaches; implementing elements; and additional input) as well as introductory elements related to the preamble, definitions, scope, principles and institutional arrangements related to the governing body, subsidiary bodies, scientific and technical cooperation and coordination, and the secretariat. The document offers 12 possible core obligations and various measures intended to support the intergovernmental negotiating committee in its deliberations for the future instrument, with measures that could be both legally binding and voluntary measures.

Potential Options for Elements Towards an International Legally Binding Instrument

Official Website for INC-2

Live Webcast

All accredited delegates (excluding Media) will receive an email from the Interactio platform on Saturday 27 May containing a dedicated link to the Interactio platform where to access to the live-streamed Conversation with Observers and/or Contact Group happening that day. All ongoing meetings and planned ones will be uploaded and updated daily on the dedicated Live Calendar.

Plenaries can be watched by the public (via YouTube) in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, while Press Briefings can be watched by the public in English and French.

INC-2 | Live Webcast

INC-2 | IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin

Press Briefing & Documents

The Press Briefing for the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) took place on Monday, 29 May at 17:30 CEST in English with French translation.

Panel:

Gustavo Meza-Cuadra Velásquez, Chair of the INC
Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the INC

In-Session Documents and Written Statements

Discussed and agreed-upon documents will be published in the in-session document section of the INC-2 Official Website.
Written statements by the Secretariat, Member States, Groups of States and observers will be published in the INC-2 Official Website.

INC-2 Programme

The provisional structure of INC-2 will address the following agenda items:

Opening of the session.
Election of officers.
Organizational matters.
Preparation of an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment
Other matters.
Adoption of the report of the session.
Closure of the session

More details are available in the annotated provisional agenda, to be read in conjunction with a scenario note released by the Secretariat on 12 April 2023, which seeks to assist Member States in their preparations for INC-2 and to propose a way forward intended to maximize the limited time available for negotiations.

Logistical information and updates on the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee

All practical information for participants attending INC-2 is available on the Information Note for Participants, regular consultation is recommended. For the latest information, an Updated Arrangements document has been released by the Secretariat.

Information Note for Participants

INC-2 Side Events

There will be 12 thematic side events organized on the margins of the second session of the INC. The themes have been chosen based on the discussions at INC-1, the written submissions received, and were decided in consultation with the Chair and the host country. The thematic side events will be held 1:30-2:45 pm daily from Monday 29 May to Thursday 1 June 2023 at the INC-2 venue, with 3 events to be held in parallel each day. The events will be in-person only.

Monday 29 May
1. Promoting sustainable consumption and production of plastics
2. Oceans and the marine environment, including transport, ghost fishing gears, dumping, pellet loss, and impacts on biodiversity
3. The role of trade measures in the future instrument: challenges and opportunities
Tuesday 30 May
4. Monitoring the situation and monitoring the progress of the future instrument: objectives/targets and their associated baselines, indicators, and timelines.
5. Plastic pollution, toxicity, chemicals, and potential risks to human health
6. Means of implementation, including resource mobilization and financial mechanism
Wednesday 31 May
7. Microplastic: understanding the challenge and its impacts
8. Promoting circular economy to retain plastics in the economy and out of the environment, including innovation and expanding the share of circular plastics
9. Enabling change at local, national, and regional levels
Thursday 1 June
10. Promoting environmentally sound management of plastic waste, including collection, sorting, and recycling, and consideration of investments
11. Existing plastic pollution: Challenges of SIDs and remote communities
12. Socio-economic considerations in the transition to circular approaches to plastic, including human rights approaches and inclusion of the informal waste sector

List of selected co-organizers for the side events during INC-2

Preparatory Events

Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues

Through the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues, the Geneva Environment Network and its partners support actors in the Geneva community and beyond, that are engaged in the INC process. Ahead of INC-2, the co-conveners of the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues will host events dedicated to the upcoming negotiations. Upcoming sessions:

Briefing on the 2nd Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution (Plastic Pollution INC-2) | 27 April 2023 | 15:00 – 16:30 CEST
En route pour Paris: Négociation pour un instrument international juridiquement contraignant sur la pollution plastique (Pollution Plastique CIN-2) | 15 March 2023, 15:00 – 16:30 CET
Diálogo sobre Plásticos (português) | A caminho do tratado internacional | 1 Mar 2023, 12:00 – 13:30 CET

More on the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues

Other Preparatory Sessions

INC Secretariat Webinars

The INC Secretariat will host a series of six online technical webinars to inform the discussions of the INC-2. The webinars will be held in English only and no simultaneous translation will be provided. Topics have been selected to cover a broad range of issues, based on the interests expressed by members of the Committee. These events are conceived to provide a deep dive on topics that will also be part of the thematic side events at INC-2. The webinars will include initial presentations, followed by a short question-and-answer session.

Webinar 1: Technical briefing on the Potential Options for Elements document | 4 May 2023 | Access the recording and the presentation made during the webinar.
Webinar 2: Science informing decision-making | 4 May 2023 | Access the recording and the presentations Indigenous knowledge and international policies; Minderoo-Monaco commission on plastics and human health; OEWG on a science policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution (SPP-OEWG); and Science informing decision making.
Webinar 3 Technical briefing on the organization of work at INC-2 | 8 May 2023 | Access the recording and the presentations made by France and by the Secretariat.
Webinar 4: Control measures for sustainable consumption and production: addressing unnecessary and problematic plastics, including single-use or short-lived plastics and plastic products, and shifting to sustainable alternatives | 10 May 2023 | Access the presentations Circular Economy & Institutional Partnerships and Single-use Plastic Products vs. Alternatives: what Life Cycle Assessments tell us.
Webinar 5: Means of implementation, with a special focus on resource mobilization and financial mechanisms | 11 May 2023 | Access the recording and the presentations: Finance Leadership Group on Plastics; Funding for Good: The Multilateral’s Fund investment in developing countries; Ghana’s Proposal For The International Legally Binding Instrument On Plastics Pollution.
Webinar 6: Promoting a circular economy to reduce the size of the problem: a focus on Extended Producer Responsibility ( EPR ) and addressing plastic waste | 16 May 2023 | Access the recording and the presentations An Act Institutionalizing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on Plastic Packaging Waste, Amending For This Purpose Republic Act No. 9003, Otherwise Known As The “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act Of 2000” and EPR-related work on plastic waste under the Basel Convention.

Ahead of the session starting in May 2023, the committee has organized Webinars for stakeholders to share information from the written submissions.

Webinar 2 | 2 February 2023 | The recording is available here.
Webinar 1 | 31 January 2023 | The recording can be found here

Paris International Forum to End Plastic Pollution in Cities (City of Paris and UNEP)

The City of Paris, with support from UNEP, organizED its first International Forum to End Plastic Pollution in Cities on 26 May from 9:00 to 12:00 CEST. This Forum will gather mayors from every continent, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Intergovernmental Organisations, and philanthropies committed to fight plastic pollution for a day of exchanges on solutions to minimize the impact of plastics on the planet. For registration, follow the instructions in the official form.

High Ambition Coalition

The High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution and WWF International, in partnership with the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty and the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, are hosted the High Ambition Briefing on 26 May 2023 from 12:00 to 14:15 CEST.
The Governments of Austria and Georgia hosted a webinar ‘Plastics on the Peak: Eliminating releases of plastic waste to air, water and land in mountainous regions’ on 23 May 2023 at 13:00 CEST.
The Governments of Monaco, Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates, organized a webinar ‘Enhance a circular plastics economy, Eliminate release of plastic to nature and Clean up existing plastic pollution’ on 15 May 2023 at 14:00 CEST.
The Governments of Guinea and Germany hosted a webinar ‘Éliminer et restreindre les polymères, substances chimiques et produits en plastique problématiques’ on 5 May 2023 at 11:00 CEST.
The Governments of Uruguay, Norway and Rwanda will host a side-event to the 2023 BRS COPs titled ‘Plastics Treaty and the BRS COPs‘ to launch the Report Global Governance of Plastics and Associated Chemicals and discuss how to eliminate and restrict plastic chemicals of concern. The event will take place on 2 May 2023 at 13:15.
The Government of Australia hosted a webinar ‘Eliminate and restrict problematic single use plastic products and packaging’, on 26 April 2023 at 02:00 CEST.
The Governments of Panama and Ecuador organized a webinar ‘Circularity of Plastics, human health and environment’, on 18 April 2023 at 16:00 CEST. The webinar will be conducted in Spanish.
The Governments of Senegal and Switzerland hosted a webinar in French ‘Increase circularity throughout the life cycle of plastics’, on 13 April 2023 at 12:00 CEST.
The Government of Uruguay in collaboration with Norway and Rwanda hosted a webinar ‘Eliminate and restrict hazardous chemicals and intentionally added microplastics’, on 3 April 2023 at 14:00 CEST.
The Governments of Ghana and Norway hosted a webinar ‘Increasing Circularity of Plastics in the Economy’, on 22 March 2023 at 10:00 CET
The Government of Rwanda, as the Co-Chair of the Coalition, hosted the webinar ‘Reducing Plastic Production and Consumption’, on 16 March 2023 at 14:00 CET.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is hosting a webinar ‘Towards an international treaty on plastics pollution: reflections on selected issues’ on 26 May 2023 at 14:30 CEST. This event held just on the eve of the opening of INC-2 will address: a) ending plastic pollution: the cost of financing; b) chemicals in plastics; c) plastic pollution in cross-border value chains.

Systemiq | Roadmap to end plastic pollution by 2040

In light of the ongoing UN Plastic Treaty negotiations, Systemiq is developing an independent report defining a Roadmap to end plastic pollution by 2040. The project is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers as a contribution to the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution. As part of this process, online Consultations on how to reach zero plastic pollution by 2040 were organized on 13 May 2023 in two sessions held from 09:00 to 10:00 CEST and from 15:00 to 16:00 CEST.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Liaison Office in Geneva

On 11 May 2023, FAO organized a hybrid informal briefing for Permanent Missions in Geneva to share information with FAO Members and exchange views on the role of plastics in agriculture.

Plastics and Chemicals Under the Stockholm Convention: Impact on the ground and potential synergies and gaps in relation to a future plastics treaty | BRS COPs 2023 Side Event

This side event to the BRS COPs 2023 was organized by IPEN with the support of the Geneva Environment Network presented syngergies between the Stockholm Convention of the negotiated plastics treaty.

Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

The Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) hosted on 26 April 2023 at 16:00 CEST a webinar followed by a quiet diplomacy dinner on Trade-Related Measures for a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution.

Nordic Stakeholders Webinar on the Global Agreement on Plastic Pollution

The Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, hosted a webinar for Nordic stakeholders on the ongoing negotiations for a global agreement to end plastic pollution by 2040 on 25 April 2023 at 10:00 CEST.

Geneva Cities Hub

On 21 April 2023 at 13:30 CEST, the Geneva Cities Hub hosted a briefing for local and regional governments to highlight opportunities for contributions while not taking part to the negotiations. The summary of the briefing can be consulted on the Geneva Cities Hub website.

International Break Free From Plastic Youth Summit

The International Break Free From Plastic Youth Summit took place from 14 to 15 April 2023. The summit brougth together young leaders, youth organizations, and allies to learn about the Global Plastics Treaty, to understand what it means for young people, and to learn how to campaign for ambitious treaty demands.

UNEP and Ellen MacArthur Foundation

On 4 April 2023, 14:00 CEST, UNEP and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation hosted the 4th workshop of the Government Workshop Series “New Plastics Economy Global Commitment Government Workshop on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)”, providing knowledge and practical updates on EPR adoption, development, and implementation by governments. Participants include governments that are signatories to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which will present to and discuss with other participants on progress, experiences, and lessons learned on the development and implementation of EPR to address plastic pollution. → Registration to the event.

Nairobi Group of Friends

On 3 May 2023, the Nairobi Group of Friends to Combat Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution hosted a webinar Expectations of Member States to INC-2 to take place at 14:00 CEST.

On the sidelines of the preparations to INC-2, the Nairobi Group of Friends to Combat Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution (NGos), co-chaired by Chile and Portugal, hosted an online event “The Nairobi Dialogue, One Year of Resolution, Expectations of Stakeholders” on Wednesday 1 March.

WTO IDP

At the WTO Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (IDP) held on 16 February 2023, stakeholders made the point on developments to reduce plastic pollution, in the aim of bringing concrete outcomes to the13th WTO Ministerial Conference to be hosted in Abu Dhabi in 2023. The event served as a bridge to take stock of achievements made at INC-1 and preparations ahead of INC-2. The INC Secretariat as well as organizations involved in the IDPs gave an overview of their analysis and studies on interconnections between the negotiated plastic treaty, trade and plastic waste management.→ List of all presentations

International Geneva at INC-2

As a global hub for environmental governance, in particular for chemicals and waste issue, Geneva hosts many organizations whose work is highly relevant for the development of a new instrument on plastic pollution. Learn more about the organizations active in Geneva to tackle the plastic crisis through our Plastics and the Environment special section on “Addressing the Plastic Crisis from Geneva”. As we head toward INC-2, we will highlight activities, documents and resources related specifically to this meeting below.

Addressing the Plastic Crisis from Geneva

In-session Submissions

Pre-session Submissions

Geneva Day 2023 at House of Switzerland, World Economic Forum Annual Meeting

Press Conference Ministerial Conference on Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution | 2 September 2021

Briefing on the 1st Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution (Plastic Pollution INC-1), Photos © UNEP/GEN, Marina Garlatti, 02 November 2022

Plastic is Forever Photo Exhibition - Copyright UNEP, Malou Lenoir.

Additional Resources

High Ambition Coalition Joint Ministerial Statement INC-2 | 26 May 2023
Troubling Toxics: Eliminating Harmful Plastic Chemicals Through The Plastics Treaty | IPEN | 29 May 2023
Plastic Treaty News | IPEN | 28 May 2023
IPEN’s new Plastics website
Japan joins anti-plastic coalition ahead of Paris treaty talks, leaving US isolated | Climate Home News | 26 May 2023
Experts sound the alarm on toxic chemicals ahead of plastic treaty negotiations | GRIST | 25 May 2023
Preparatory Materials for the Plastics Treaty INC-2 | CIEL | 25 May 2023
Trends in Trade Flows Across the Life Cycle of Plastics: Preliminary Review | TESS | 25 May 2023
Information submitted by the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (UNEP/PP/INC.2/INF/9) | 24 May 2023
Information submitted by the Secretariat of the International Labour Organization (ILO)(UNEP/PP/INC.2/INF/10) | 24 May 2023
Plastics treaty: Will the developing world be heard? | The Stream | Al-Jazeera | 24 May 2023
IUCN Briefing for Negotiators: Legal Process of Treaty Negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty INC-2 | IUCN | 22 May 2023
Previewing the Second Round of Negotiations to Advance a Plastics Treaty | CIEL | 22 May 2023
The Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty Resources for the INC-2 Negotiations
Australia quietly reopens plastic waste exports while UNEP “Turns on the Tap” for burning plastic waste in cement kilns: Policy desperation on the eve of Plastic Treaty negotiations | Break Free From Plastic | 23 May 2023
Stakeholder reaction to UNEP announcement on badges at INC-2 | Greenpeace International | 20 May 2023
Stakeholder reaction to UNEP announcement on badges at INC-2 | Magnus Løvold | 20 May 2023
Finance Leadership Group on Plastics contributes to development of international instrument to end plastic pollution | UNEP FI | 19 May 2023
Stakeholder reaction to UNEP announcement on badges at INC-2 | The Guardian | 18 May 2023
Stakeholder reaction to UNEP announcement on badges at INC-2 | CIEL | 16 May 2023
Role of chemicals and polymers of concern in the global plastics treaty | Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty | 16 May 2023
IPEN Quick Views INC-2 | IPEN | 16 May 2023
Suggested Language for Cities in the New Plastic Pollution Treaty | Geneva Cities Hub | 15 May 2023
‘Putting an End to Plastic Pollution: WWF’s Call to Urgently Regulate High-Risk Plastic Products’ | WWF | 15 May 2023
Plastics Treaty: Phase Out Fossil Fuels to End Pollution | Human Rights Watch | 15 May 2023
Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions note to the INC-2 Secretariat (UNEP/PP/INC.2/INF/7) | 12 May 2023
Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat note to the INC-2 Secretariat (UNEP/PP/INC.2/INF/6) | 12 May 2023
Initial Considerations for INC-2 | EIA | 11 May 2023
Inclusion of the Informal Recycling Sector in a Global Agreement on Plastic Pollution | IKHAPP | 11 May 2023
UN chemicals & waste negotiations advances and lessons for future plastics treaty | CIEL | 12 May 2023
Chemicals in Plastics: A Technical Report | UNEP & BRS Secretariat | 3 May 2023
Policy recommendations of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty for consideration at INC-2 | Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty | 2 May 2023
Global Governance of Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention | Karen Raubenheimer, Niko Urho | Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions | 21 April 2023
G7 Climate, Energy, and the Environment Ministers’ Communiqué | Target on Plastic Pollution | 16 April 2023
Toward a Global Plastics Treaty: A Survey of State Submissions Ahead of INC-2 | Guarini Center on Environmental, Energy and Land Use Law | 7 April 2023
Non-Party Trade Provisions in Multilateral Environmental Agreements: Key Elements for Consideration in the Context of a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution | CIEL | 6 April 2023
The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health | Philip J. Landrigan, et al. | Annals of Global Health | 21 March 2023
Beyond Recycling: Reckoning with Plastics in a Circular Economy | CIEL | 21 March 2023
Biden’s Administration Global Plastics Plan dubbed “Low Ambition’ and ‘Underwhelming’ | Inside Climate News | 28 February 2023
Less plastic or more recycling – nations split ahead of treaty talks | Joe Lo | Climate Home News | 22 February 2023
Cities in the Global Plastics Treaty (negotiations) | ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
Addressing Microplastics in a Global Agreement on Plastic Pollution | Idun Rognerud, Rachel Hurley, Amy Lusher, Inger Lise Nerland Bråte, and Eirik Hovland Steindal | Norwegian Institute for Water Research | 5 January 2023
Indigenous voices needed in global plastics treaty talks | Waatea News | 15 December 2022
At UN Talks, Countries Divided on Approach to Plastics Agreement | Human Rights Watch | 7 December 2022
Hopes and dreams for the upcoming Plastics Treaty | Zero Waste Europe | 5 December 2022

Who To Follow on Twitter

#PlasticsTreaty #INC2

Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary, Secretariat for the Plastics INC | @MathurFilipp
INC Chair, Gustavo Meza-Cuadra Velásquez from Peru | @GustavoMezaCua1
High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution | @HACplastic
Center for International Environment Law | @CIEL_tweets | Andrés Del Castillo | Giulia Carlini | Carroll Muffett | Jane Patton | Rachel Radvany | David Azoulay
International Union for Conservation of Nature | @IUCN_Plastics
International Pollutants Elimination Network | @ToxicsFree | Vito A. Buonsante
Break Free From Plastic | @brkfreeplastic
Environmental Investigation Agency | @EIA_news | Christina Dixon
International Alliance of Waste Pickers | @globalrec_org
Scientists engaged in plastics research & INC process | Zhanyun Wang | Steve and Deonie Allen | Bethanie Carney Almroth | Scientists’ Coalition for Effective PlasticsTreaty | Idun Rognerud | Marina Fernandez
Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty | @WWF & Ellen MacArthur Foundation @circulareconomy
Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP | @andersen_inger
Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions | @brsmeas