Unilever Spurred on by Global Plastics Treaty Stalemate

Efforts to finalise a Global Plastics Treaty at the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-5) Summit in Busan, South Korea, might have collapsed, but big-name organisations like Unilever remain steadfast in their mission to combat plastic pollution.

The FMCG giant's newly-released statement, issued in response to the failure to reach an agreement, underlines the pressing need for strong international regulations to address the plastic crisis.

The breakdown of discussions, attributed partly to interference from major oil producers, has sparked widespread criticism and renewed urgency to secure a robust treaty in the near future.

Unilever responds to INC-5 outcome

Unilever, a key advocate for sustainable plastic management, has expressed a mix of disappointment and hope following the stalled treaty negotiations.

The company’s statement begins: "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."

However, Unilever highlights progress made, noting that more than 100 countries have demonstrated support for critical elements like global phase-outs of certain plastics and sustainable production limits. The statement praises recent advancements in discussions on product design and waste management, which could serve as a foundation for future negotiations.

Calling for decisive action, the company urges governments to adopt a comprehensive treaty at the resumed INC-5.2 session.

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

The FMCG giant goes on to stress the urgency of reaching an agreement, warning that prolonged negotiations risk delaying meaningful progress.

Driving change through advocacy

As one of the leading voices in the push for plastic regulations, Unilever is an active member of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, a group comprising more than 275 companies advocating for enforceable global rules.

Beyond its coalition work, Unilever has partnered with organisations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to advance sustainability initiatives voluntarily.

Hein Schumacher, Unilever’s CEO, has consistently highlighted the importance of addressing plastic pollution. In a January blog post, Hein emphasised the limits of voluntary corporate action and called for harmonised regulations across the entire lifecycle of plastics.

"Urgent steps to end plastic pollution are required," he wrote. "The current plastic life cycle remains primarily linear – take, make, dispose – and the statistics from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (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 also pointed out that the OECD projects plastic waste to almost triple by 2060, with significant environmental and climate impacts.

"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," Schumacher added.

Unilever acknowledges its role in the problem, with plastic packaging comprising a large share of global plastics use. The company’s commitment to addressing these challenges underpins its continued advocacy for definitive rules.

Looking ahead with resilience

Despite the setback, Unilever’s leaders remain optimistic about the potential for progress in the next phase of negotiations.

Rebecca Marmot, Chief Sustainability Officer at Unilever, reflected on the INC-5 outcome in a statement on LinkedIn, expressing both disappointment and determination.

She said: "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."

While the treaty remains unresolved, Rebecca acknowledged the alignment of more than 100 countries on critical elements as a positive step. She reiterated the importance of resilience, writing: "There is disappointment but there is also grit and perseverance."

As Unilever continues to advocate for ambitious outcomes, Rebecca commended the company for ensuring the voices of business leaders were heard globally: "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."

This dedication exemplifies Unilever’s leadership in pushing for transformative solutions to the global plastics crisis.

"There’s no time to waste," the company declares, reinforcing the need for urgent and effective action.

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