The Zero Draft Plastics Treaty: Gaps and challenges

Abstract After the second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Plastics Treaty meeting in Paris in June 2023, a Zero Draft of the Treaty was released for comment. Member states involved in the treaty negotiations were to respond to the Zero Draft before the third INC meeting in Nove...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCambridge Prisms: Plastics Vol. 2
Main Authors Vince, Joanna, Carney Almroth, Bethanie, de Miranda Grilli, Natalia, Dwivedi, Vaibhavi, Stöfen-O’Brien, Aleke, Beyer, Josefa
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge University Press 2024
Subjects
circular economy
petrochemicals
plastic pollution
plastics treaty
Revised Zero Draft
Zero Draft
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Summary:Abstract After the second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Plastics Treaty meeting in Paris in June 2023, a Zero Draft of the Treaty was released for comment. Member states involved in the treaty negotiations were to respond to the Zero Draft before the third INC meeting in November 2023 in Nairobi. In this paper, we analyse the content and structure of the Zero Draft. We identify parts of the Zero Draft that work and others that will need further attention. These include applicability to different regions; atmospheric input; recycling and waste management; labelling and standards; harmful chemicals; scientific backing; the circular economy; just transition and climate change. We argue that this draft was a useful starting point for further negotiations for member states and the Revised version of the Zero Draft has resolved some of its shortcomings but not all. These are likely to contribute to further debate during future INC negotiations. We conclude with an overview of INC-3 and INC-4 and how the Zero Draft and Revised Zero Draft were received.
ISSN:2755-094X
2755-094X
DOI:10.1017/plc.2024.31