Living your best life? Well that and some businesses offering these beloved items have teamed up to push for a strong Global Plastics Treaty via the Champions of Change – a global initiative led by Greenpeace, Break Free From Plastic, and the Plastic Pollution Coalition aimed at leveraging the business community’s influence to secure a treaty that begins to protect people and the planet.
Lush, Ben & Jerry’s, reuse business alliances like New ERA and many other companies around the world have signed an open letter urging governments to negotiate a strong treaty that reduces plastic production and incentivises the roll out of reuse and refill systems. You may recall that in early October Lush Cosmetics, one of the Champions of Change signatory companies, held a day of action in their US and Canadian stores inviting their customers to call for a strong Treaty. Lush was one of the first companies to sign on and has been vocal in its support for a new way of doing business and delivering products. The current economy and product delivery systems are so plastic-centric, but a strong Treaty can help accelerate a shift to a truly zero waste, reuse-based economy.
Governments must raise ambition at the make-or-break talks this November
Since 2022, governments have been convening with the mandate to create a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024. The series of negotiations to agree a Global Plastic Treaty, known as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) meetings, began in Uruguay, followed by France, Kenya, and Canada back in April. The INC-5 in Busan, South Korea starts on November 25th and if countries can secure a strong treaty that caps plastic production and directs a clear pathway to a reuse-based society, the world will have a real chance to solve the plastic pollution crisis.
The science about what we need to do to solve this problem is clear: turning off the tap to stop runaway plastic production is the most effective way to protect the climate, biodiversity, and our health. Sounds straightforward right? But as we approach the end of 2024, time is running out. And the fossil fuel industry and some governments continue to pull out all the stops to weaken the treaty and keep pumping out plastic. If they have their way, and business as usual continues, plastic production could triple by 2050.
Many countries are trying to push the talks in the right direction. The Bridge to Busan declaration, signed by 39 countries, shows support for an agreement that cuts global plastic production to limit global temperature increase below 1.5° C. And whilst many countries have implemented various plastic bans at the consumer level, such as no plastic bags, utensils, or takeaway containers, what about the responsibility of the business sector?
Leading businesses must champion a strong and ambitious Global Plastics Treaty
Whether we like it or not, businesses are at the forefront of the plastic pollution issue – not only as the main producers and users of single-use plastic but also as innovators and adopters of alternatives and solutions. Many companies already know that ditching plastics isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for business, too! In fact, research has found that zero-waste approaches create over 200 times more jobs than disposal-based systems that primarily burn or bury waste.
There is no better time for forward-thinking businesses around the world to send a strong message to their national governments. that they support the creation of a truly ambitious, legally binding Global Plastics Treaty that seeks to reduce plastic production and end pollution across the full lifecycle of plastics.
That’s why we’re excited to highlight that over 350 companies and businesses from around the world have joined Champions of Change. By bringing together reuse and refill shops, low-plastic and plastic-free brands, and companies actively working to operate without contributing to the plastic crisis, the aim is to demonstrate that ending the age of plastic doesn’t conflict with a healthy business landscape.
INC-5 is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address plastic pollution at source and bring about long-lasting systemic solutions that put people and the planet first.
Companies, if you believe in a cleaner, and less polluted future, we invite you to join fellow business leaders for a strong Global Plastics Treaty by becoming a Champion of Change and signing the open letter!
Not a business? Not a problem! You can sign our petition to show your support for an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty. We couldn’t have made it this far without you. Let’s keep going together until we win!
If world leaders get it right, a strong Global Plastics Treaty has the potential to end the age of plastic – for good. Join the campaign now!
Take actionLouise Edge is a Global corporate campaign lead at Greenpeace UK and Sarah King is a Political Strategist for the Oceans, Plastics, and Nature campaign at Greenpeace Canada.
