Unilever Speaks on Failure of Global Plastics Treaty

Manufacturing Digital reported recently on how the breakdown of the Global Plastics Treaty isn't the end for action on plastics.

One manufacturer that embodies this fact is Unilever, which has issued a statement in response to the failure of the INC-5 talks in Busan, South Korea at the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-5) Summit.

With suggestions of interference by major oil producers, the lack of a treaty by the end has been met with accusation and controversy, especially as it comes after two years of discussion.

This has been met by sharp condemnation and resilient hope for a new treaty next year to secure our sustainable future and effectively regulate plastics in the manufacturing sector.

Unilever's statement

"Despite tireless efforts by the INC Chair and government negotiators to finalise a global plastics treaty, it will not be agreed in Busan, as planned," the statement begins.

"We are encouraged by the increased alignment amongst over 100 countries on critical elements such as global phase-outs and sustainable levels of plastic production.

"Never before have so many countries clearly articulated support for these obligations. The latest text from the INC Chair is also a step forward on product design and waste management as a basis for future negotiations."

The statement goes on to urge governments to take decision action next year with a firm treaty and stop delaying progress.

"At the resumed INC5.2 session, governments must make a choice," the statement reads.

"They can continue negotiating a treaty with universal support but little impact.

"Or they can agree on a treaty based on strong global rules across the full lifecycle of plastics and with a comprehensive financing mechanism, confident in knowing that this is what the majority of governments, business and citizens want.

"There’s no time to waste: we cannot afford this process sliding into unending negotiations."

The statement is especially compelling coming from the manufacturer, as it has been advocating for definitive action on plastics in recent years.

Unilever: Spearheading the call for rules on plastic

Unilever has been one of the biggest and most active manufacturers calling for firm rules on plastic. 

Coming together as one of the 275+ members of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, Unilever has advocated strongly for an enforceable, robust framework.

This comes in addition to the company's voluntary initiatives on enhancing plastic sustainability with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Commitment.

In January of this year Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher authored a blog on the company's website, where he expanded on its position and the reasons why regulating plastic is so critical for manufacturing. 

"Voluntary corporate action alone is not enough; we are asking for stronger rules and harmonised regulations across the full plastic life cycle," he wrote. 

"Urgent steps to end plastic pollution are required. The current plastic life cycle remains primarily linear – take, make, dispose – and the statistics from the OECD are telling: from 2000 to 2019, plastic production and plastic waste have more than doubled, while only 9% of plastic ultimately gets recycled."

He highlights that based on this OECD data, manufacturing's current trajectory on plastic is not sustainable in alignment with long term sustainability goals. 

"OECD data also shows that the amount of plastic waste produced is on track to almost triple by 2060, with around half ending up in landfill and less than a fifth recycled," Hein adds.

"Greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic system could further increase by 63% by 2040, a trajectory that is incompatible with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

"Packaging represents around one-third of global plastics use.

"Unilever recognises that it is part of the problem. Too much of our plastic packaging ends up in the environment."

This conviction in the urgent need to reduce and curtail plastic use is why Unilever, while disappointed by the news, is not letting the setback with the Global Plastics Treaty impact their advocacy nor optimism for the future.

This much was clear by what Rebecca Marmot, Unilever Chief Sustainability Officer said in a statement on LinkedIn.

A call for continued action

"Early last week, #INC5 negotiations to agree a UN treaty to end plastic pollution closed in Busan, South Korea," Rebecca wrote.

"We were hoping - and have worked extensively - for an international legally binding instrument that would harmonise the policy landscape, strengthen national legislation, and help businesses scale proven solutions for priority sectors, such as packaging.

"An ambitious treaty will give business the certainty it needs to be part of a thriving circular economy."

Rebecca goes on to note that "disappointingly" countries were unable to agree on the Plastics Treaty at INC5.

However, she doesn't end on that deflating note, instead focusing on the incredible progress many manufacturers have already made and the potential for the treaty next year.

"However, what we saw in terms of over 100 countries increasing alignment on critical elements such as global phase-outs and sustainable levels of plastic production charts a promising path for when INC5.2 convenes early next year," she added.

"There is disappointment but there is also grit and perseverance." 

Rebecca continued to iterate her pride in the efforts of Unilever, arguably the manufacturer that has advocated the most for definitive regulation of plastics.

"I'm proud of the Unilever team and all their work with the Business For A Plastics Treaty to advocate for a high ambition outcome and for ensuring that governments around the world heard loud and clear that #BusinessNeedsGlobalRules," she concluded. 

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