WWF Urges Global Leaders to Finalize Binding Plastics Treaty at Geneva Talks

julio 29, 2025

12:13 pm

Key Impact Points:

WWF warns failure at INC-5.2 could lock in a high-pollution future, with 30,000 tonnes of plastic entering oceans daily.
Call for binding global rules, including bans on harmful plastics, design requirements, and support for developing nations.
Alternative procedural pathways are on the table, as consensus remains elusive due to opposition from a small minority of countries.

High Stakes as Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations Reach Final Stage

With the final round of global plastic treaty negotiations (INC-5.2) set to begin in Geneva, WWF is calling on countries to urgently unite behind a legally binding agreement that can end the plastic pollution crisis.

“If we fail to achieve this at INC-5.2, we risk locking in a high-pollution future that will be far more difficult and costly to reverse,” the organization warned.

Clock Is Ticking on Treaty Progress

The treaty, in development since March 2022, has made significant progress but now faces a critical test. With negotiations in overtime, WWF emphasized that delays mean mounting damage: 30,000 tonnes of plastic enter oceans every day.

“As we approach the final stretch, negotiators must remember why we’re here,” said Erin Simon, Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste & Business, WWF. “Our planet is overwhelmed by plastic waste, and it’s impacting everyone and everything that calls this planet home.”

Alternative Pathways to a Deal Under Consideration

While most countries support a robust treaty, a small group continues to stall progress—prompting calls to explore procedural alternatives to reach an outcome that doesn’t rely solely on full consensus.

“The speed at which the treaty went from conception to near completion is exactly what the planet needed, but it was never going to be without challenges,” added Simon.

Treaty Must Include Binding Measures and Support for Implementation

WWF stresses that the final treaty must go beyond voluntary commitments and include:

Bans on the most harmful plastic products and chemicals
Design standards to promote a non-toxic circular economy
Financial and technical support for developing countries
Strong compliance and review mechanisms

“The path forward won’t be easy,” Simon said, “but it’s time to prioritize the key points where we can align globally and deliver a treaty that will protect the health of people and our planet well into the future.”

Global Benefits at Stake

WWF highlights that a strong treaty will not only reduce environmental damage but also deliver major economic and social gains—creating jobs, improving public health, lowering taxpayer costs, and enhancing global competitiveness.

As global leaders gather in Geneva, WWF’s message is clear: the world is watching, and the time for action is now.