'No Time to Waste': Unilever on the Global Plastics Treaty

The fight against plastic pollution has taken a huge hit as negotiations over a Global Plastics Treaty stalled without resolution.

The talks, which brought together world leaders from politics and business, were called to form a global consensus on plastic.

The failure of these talks represents a failure for diplomacy and climate legislation, but an even bigger failure for humanity as a whole.

Plastic pollution is a chronic problem for our planet. Forecasts show that, by 2050, there will be more pieces of plastic in our oceans than there are fish.

What's more, plastic production is expected to triple by that same time, as populations swell and demand for fast moving consumer goods skyrockets. 

Businesses that provide products like these have a huge responsibility in mitigating plastic pollution. 

Unilever, the world's third largest plastic polluter, has accepted this responsibility and it had been involved in the Global Plastics Treaty talks.

Expressing disappointment after the breakdown of talks, a Unilever statement said: "There’s no time to waste: we cannot afford this process sliding into unending negotiations."

The view from Unilever

Unilever is one of the world's largest companies.

It owns around 400 consumer goods brands, including Dove, Axe and Ben & Jerry's.

As such, its products are purchased in their millions every day.

The team at Unilever understands the amount of waste its products can create, so its sustainability targets are suitably ambitious in scope. 

However, these targets have drawn criticism in recent years, along with accusations of greenwashing.

Environmental NGO Greenpeace recently reported that, despite Unilever's desire to see a "waste-free world", only 0.2% of its plastic packaging is currently recyclable.

Nevertheless, Unilever has come out strong following the breakdown of talks in Busan, South Korea.

"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 says.

The company, however, finds a silver lining in the collective stance of more than 100 nations agreeing on the importance of global phase-outs.

"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 company adds.

The statement advocates for decisive action, stressing the importance of the forthcoming INC5.2 session.

"At the resumed INC5.2 session, governments must make a choice. They can continue negotiating a treaty with universal support but little impact," it reads.

"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."

The desire for stronger rules

Unilever isn't new to the arena of sustainable practices.

As a key player in the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, this conglomerate has been vocal about the necessity for enforceable frameworks.

This is coupled with its voluntary measures in collaboration with entities like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Commitment.

Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher says:  "Voluntary corporate action alone is not enough; we are asking for stronger rules and harmonised regulations across the full plastic life cycle.

"Urgent steps to end plastic pollution are required."

Hein highlights alarming data from the OECD that points to an unsustainable increase in plastic waste, with projections showing significant environmental impacts by 2060.

The CEO draws attention to the stark reality that a significant portion of plastic used globally is aimed at packaging, a sector in which Unilever plays a sizable role.

"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," he says.

Looking ahead with hopes

Despite the setbacks at the INC5 Summit, optimism remains.

Rebecca Marmot, Unilever's Chief Sustainability Officer, reflects on the events in Busan.

Rebecca says: "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."

Despite the lack of a treaty, Rebecca believes progress has been made.

"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 says.

This statement not only indicates a resilient stance on achieving a robust legal framework but also shines a light on the collaborative nature of the fight against plastic pollution, one where businesses and governments must unite for impactful change.

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