Defra UK report calls for polymer transparency and reuse subsidies to end plastic pollution by 2040

30 May 2023 --- Yesterday, the second UK National Treaty Dialogues on Plastic Pollution Multi-Stakeholder Convening Report 2023 was published. The report includes contributions from 39 organizations addressing the plastic pollution crisis, such as ExxonMobil, Nestlé, Greenpeace, Unilever and Oxford University.

Contributions from this session aim to help inform the UK’s contributions in negotiating the global plastics treaty at the Second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) in Paris. 

“We all know that international action is needed, and the UK is dedicated to continuing to push for the development of an ambitious and effective treaty that will end plastic pollution by 2040,” says Fiona Charlesworth, head of the international marine environment at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). 

“Tackling plastic pollution is critical to the health of our natural world and without action, the problem will only increase.”

The report was published in partnership with Ocean Plastics Leadership Network (OPLN) and the UK Government’s Defra, including notes from an expert panel discussion on the global plastics treaty, the results of two surveys and the outputs of three topical breakout sessions.

DEFRA and OPLN release the UK National Treaty Dialogues on Plastic Pollution Multi-Stakeholder Convening Report 2023. Producer responsibility
 All the UK sectors agreed that the plastic treaty should mobilize private and public funds to ensure the effective implementation of treaty provisions as “essential or high priority.”

“The OPLN has taken the lead in spearheading a multi-stakeholder convening program for the UK government, with an objective to identify areas of alignment ahead of each Intergovernmental Negotiation Meeting and accelerate coordinated action on the plastics crisis,” asserts Marta Fiscina, CEO of OPLN. 

Participants in the report also see the plastics treaty facilitating the establishment of extended producer responsibility schemes as essential. The report will also aim to help transfer technology to low- and middle-income countries to ensure effective treaty implementation on a national level as “essential or high priority.”

Additionally, there was cross-sector stakeholder alignment found in labeling the statement: “The plastics treaty should develop global design criteria as ‘essential or high priority.’” 

“We firmly believe in the paramount importance of systematic stakeholders’ engagement across the entire plastics ecosystem, particularly in conjunction with the UN Plastics Treaty,” adds Fiscina. 

Essential or high priority
Over 70% of stakeholders consider the global plastics treaty mandating the disclosure of polymer types in plastic products as “essential or high priority.” It was also agreed upon that the treaty should ban subsidies that promote greater production and consumption of virgin plastics. 

“As the sixth largest economy in the world, the UK has set an ambitious example, showcasing the power of collaboration and concerted efforts,” Fiscina continues. 

Stakeholders also mentioned in the report a need for clearer definitions of biodegradable, compostable and bioplastics, in addition to banning subsidies that promote greater production and consumption of virgin plastics. The report from multi-stakeholders calls for a ban on subsidies that promote greater production and consumption of virgin plastics. 

Moreover, over 60% of stakeholders rated mobilizing funds to subsidize reuse and refill infrastructure as “essential or high priority” consideration for the treaty.

Five principles 
The report states that the national treaty dialogues on plastic pollution are a multi-stakeholder engagement program that should consider five principles.

• Neutrality: The stakeholders desire a balanced participation framework considering the full lifecycle of plastics.
• Capacity building: Building capacity for effective cross-sector collaboration on the UN plastic pollution treaty and national action plans.
• Inclusion: Active and informed engagement across under-represented groups. 
• Data-driven reporting: Introduce data-driven insight generation to identify areas of cross-sector alignment in regard to the treaty provisions and individual country positions.
• Science and knowledge: Elevate the importance of innovation, technology and science in the policy development process. 

“These national multi-stakeholder programs present an opportunity for countries to demonstrate leadership in tackling this urgent global issue,” says Fiscina.

“Together, we can pave the way toward a sustainable and resilient future, where the impacts of plastics on human health and environment are mitigated, and the well-being of present and future generations is safeguarded,” she concludes. 

By Sabine Waldeck