The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has called on governments to secure an ambitious, workable, effective and inclusive agreement at the last negotiating round of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan – one that rallies all actors of society, including the business community, in the collective charge to end plastic pollution and that sets the frame and direction for accelerated business action.


The global business community has a critical role to play in providing the solutions that will be needed to address the challenge of plastic pollution at the required scale and speed.


“However, businesses need an agreement that provides the enabling frameworks and policies to drive innovation and accelerate business action across all sectors and geographies. This will be indispensable for businesses to effectively deliver on the objectives of the agreement and spur impactful change.”


Raelene Martin, Head of Sustainability, ICC

We stand at a critical juncture in the process with one negotiating session left for countries to forge an agreement. The preceding months of intersessional work have been integral to build common ground on critical path issues, however many issues still remain to be resolved.


Efforts have been made by the INC Chair and Ambassador of Ecuador Luis Vayas Valdivieso to sharpen focus on the elements necessary for the instrument to be fully operational and effective and are aimed at streamlining the negotiations to enhance convergence. His latest non-paper is proposed as a basis for negotiation at INC-5 to replace the lengthy compilation text from INC-4, to facilitate progress and make the best use of the limited time for negotiations in Busan.


Ahead of the start of the negotiating session on 25 November 2024, ICC has outlined key business priorities which should be reflected in the future instrument.


They identify four key priority areas, informed and guided by the UNEA Resolution 5/14 mandate:


  1. Focus on addressing problematic and avoidable plastic applications and products
  2. Engrain circular approaches at the heart of the instrument
  3. Promote the role of innovation as a key enabler in achieving the objectives of the instrument
  4. Establish effective means of implementation for the real economy

The document also highlights the need to understand how trade and trade policies can effectively support a circular economy transition and calls for enhanced cooperation and consultation with the World Trade Organization (WTO), including alignment of future provisions with WTO principles; as well as other frameworks such as the Basel Convention.


Ms. Martin added:


“It is essential that at INC-5, countries agree on the key elements for an instrument that is effective, implementable and fit for purpose in addressing plastic pollution. Agreeing on a robust agreement that sets the foundations to effectively deliver on the UNEA 5/14 mandate must remain the North Star for a successful outcome in Busan. This goal is still within reach — collectively, we can and must succeed in delivering an agreement to spearhead the change the planet and people deserve.”


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Plastic pollution is a global problem, with approximately 7 billion of the 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic produced from 1950-2017 becoming plastic waste, ending up in landfills or dumped. The...