Could INC5.2 in Geneva herald the end of all things plastic?

Could INC5.2 in Geneva herald the end of all things plastic?

2 min.

Train from Busan

Is it a coincidence, or is it destiny? The future of plastics will be decided 65 km away from Mover’s headquarters. On 5 August, the world will converge in Geneva to create the Global Plastic Treaty. If you haven’t heard of it before, here’s what you need to know:

  • The purpose of the Global Plastic Treaty is to end plastic pollution.

  • This is the first legally binding agreement ever to be made on plastic, meaning there will be rules, restrictions and enforcement for the signatories.

  • The treaty aims to address every stage of the plastics lifecycle, from production to disposal.

  • Following its inception in 2022 and five rounds of negotiations that were due to conclude in Busan, South Korea, an additional session has been scheduled in Geneva.

  • The discussions centre on measures such as capping plastic production, design changes, recycling and financial redistribution.

  • To craft the Treaty’s articles, working groups comprising country representatives negotiate until they reach a consensus on all topics.

  • Observers from NGOs, IGOs, scientific and indigenous coalitions follow the negotiations.

However, the process could be hijacked.

While the catastrophic environmental impact of plastics is recognised, the efficiency of the Treaty is not guaranteed. Threats also come from within. At the last sessions, the largest delegation present was made up of plastic lobbyists (outnumbering the EU delegates altogether), who acted strategically to secure a weak Treaty in favour of their industry. Their purpose is to defend the interests of producers by preventing any restrictions on production, instead pushing for downstream measures. 

Recycling is at the crossroads

As the climate crisis forces petrochemical companies to scale back their fossil fuel operations, plastics have become their most attractive remaining asset. Strong measures like limiting production pose a direct threat to their profits. In response, these corporations are investing heavily to divert attention away from upstream solutions to the plastic crisis. Their strategy: focus public and political attention on recycling and waste management, measures that don’t target the root causes nor challenge their business models. But behind this agenda lies a clear goal: to protect and expand plastic production, using false solutions that are not only ineffective but also toxic.

Is there hope after the tunnel? 

Despite considerable pressure from corporations, more than 100 countries are advocating for a strong Treaty, refusing to yield to financial interests and the false promises of plastic recycling. Their resistance has enabled this second round of negotiations and given us hope of achieving a fairer Treaty that prioritises global health over profit for a toxic industry.

Meet us at Plateforme 10!

The transition to a post-plastic economy may be a bumpy road, but this is our opportunity to reconnect with nature — not as the landscape behind the glass, but as the conductor of our journey. If you would like to participate in the INC5.2 ecosystem and explore how collaborating with nature could alter our trajectory, we invite you to catch the train to Lausanne Station on 7 August 2025. Meet us at Plateforme 10 for an evening of exchanges with scientists, activists, and changemakers, followed by a screening of the award-winning documentary Plastic People (trailer here).

Discover our panelists: 

 

Further readings