Last week, on 2 March 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a resolution to address plastic pollution through a legally binding treaty (Resolution). The Resolution was passed unanimously by the UN membership and, hence, with the support of all major economies, including the European Union, the United States, and China. A large number of companies and other stakeholders also supported the decision.
The Resolution is a significant step in international cooperation to tackle plastic pollution. The resulting treaty could see significant regulatory changes from governments that bear upon the production and use of plastics. A treaty could also encourage innovation throughout the plastics life cycle, from the way that plastics are made to the management of plastics recycling and waste. Stakeholders in this sector are actively encouraged to contribute to the development of the new international rules, both through UNEA and the WTO.