TORONTO – Today, the Global Plastics Treaty talks have officially begun, deciding the fate of plastic pollution around the world. At the talks, which will happen from August 5 until August 14, delegations from 179 countries will convene in Geneva, Switzerland, alongside more than 1,900 observers. Among those is the global Greenpeace network, demanding a Treaty that reduces plastic production by at least 75% by 2040 to protect people’s health, the climate and the environment.

The Global Plastics Treaty is a proposed international agreement aimed at curbing plastic pollution. In 2022, UN Member States adopted a resolution to develop a legally binding instrument to tackle the growing issue of plastic pollution. Since then, the International Negotiating Committee (INC) has been coming together to discuss the details of this Treaty. INC 5.2, the second part of the fifth session, which begins today, is set to be the last round of negotiations to finalize a strong Treaty.

In 2024, Canada hosted the fourth session of the talks and today we have an added responsibility to move the negotiations forward to drive ambition among the Parties. At the end of the first part of the fifth session (INC-5.1), Canada was one of the 85 countries that signed the “Stand Up for Ambition” declaration, calling for a strong and legally binding Global Plastics Treaty that cuts plastic production, phases out harmful chemicals, and ensures a fair financing mechanism. 

On July 29th, Greenpeace Canada opened a photo art exhibition in the Toronto-Danforth neighbourhood in the riding of the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Minister Julie Dabrusin, to draw attention to the plastics crisis, urging bold leadership to support a strong Global Plastic Treaty. The showcase, titled ‘Cost of Convenience’, was made by Toronto artist Sean Martindale in collaboration with JP King, displayed from Greenwood to Woodbine, with a collection of photographs displayed on street corners and inside local businesses, capturing plastic pollution which has been found everywhere from air, to food and water supplies.

Sien Van den broeke, Plastics Campaigner at Greenpeace Canada, said: 

“Plastic is everywhere – in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the clothes we wear. From production to disposal, plastic is harming our human and environmental health at every stage of its lifecycle. With 99% of plastics made from fossil fuels, it is also fuelling the climate crisis. Plastic pollution is becoming a daily reality for every community across the country, and it is time to turn the tide. Over 84,000 people in Canada have signed our petition for a strong Global Plastics Treaty. It is time for Canada to put the people over polluters and the planet over plastic. We need a strong and binding Global Plastics Treaty that cuts plastic production, ends single-use plastics, focuses on reuse and refill systems, and puts human rights front and centre.”

ENDS

Note to editors: 

Photos and videos from the plastic photo art exhibition can be found in the Greenpeace media library.

The Greenpeace Plastic Free Future campaign report – Every Breath You Take – can be accessed here.

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Micho, Communications Campaigner, Greenpeace Canada 
[email protected], +1 647 428 0603