This blog was written by Matteo Bizzotto, Senior Officer of Global Communications, and Magash Naidoo, Head of Circular Development, from the ICLEI World Secretariat.
Plastic pollution is everywhere, from mountain tops to ocean depths, from the blood of newborns to the air we breathe. It is not just a waste problem: It’s a social, economic, human health, climate, and environmental justice crisis. Until recently, there was no global treaty to address it. That’s changing. Through the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), countries are working toward a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution by the end of 2025. As negotiations enter their final stages, expectations are high. But so is the urgency: The world produces more than 400 million tons of plastic a year, and much of it is designed to be used once, then discarded.
While national governments are leading negotiations, local and subnational governments are the ones who often face plastic pollution head-on. They manage solid waste systems, deal with illegal dumping, and respond to public health risks. They also have the power to shape consumer behavior, enforce regulations, and pilot new solutions.
This is why the Local and Subnational Governments Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, coordinated by ICLEI, the governments of Quebec and Catalonia, Global Cities Hub and UCLG, has been vocal in calling for stronger language in the treaty that reflects their role. Cities stand on the frontline of plastic pollution impacts and are best positioned to design and implement solutions, especially if supported by a global treaty on plastic pollution,” said Errick Simmons, Mayor of Greenville, MS, USA. “The current level of plastic waste in our cities is a merging of overconsumption, mismanaged production, and a complete overwhelming of city infrastructure to assimilate incredible waste streams from every facet of the economy. Having harmonized rules across the life cycle of plastic, and inclusion of local government in rule-making provides the best opportunity for successful implementation.”
The resumed fifth session of the INC (INC-5.2), held this week in Geneva, is expected to be the most intense and critical round of talks. Delegates aim to finalize a draft text of the treaty, focusing on unresolved issues such as plastic production caps, toxic chemical bans, and financing mechanisms. The Chair of the negotiations, Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso, noted the constructive spirit of recent informal meetings and called for “efficiency, transparency and shared determination” to reach an outcome by 14 August.
As INC-5.2 gets started, all eyes are on whether countries can agree on:
- A clear and enforceable reduction of plastic production
- Strong rules on hazardous chemicals
- A global financial mechanism and extended producer responsibility framework
- The ability of the treaty Secretariat to work directly with local and subnational governments
- A “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach throughout the treaty
If these elements make it into the final text, the treaty could be a turning point. But success will also depend on how governments at all levels work together to make it real.
According to Magash Naidoo, ICLEI’s Head of Circular Development, “While we participate in these negotiations as observers, we make sure our voice is heard. If no agreement is reached, local and subnational governments still have the power to act by banning harmful plastics, offering incentives for change, and delivering real impact on the ground. However, we must be optimistic. Whatever the outcome, cities won’t wait. They will keep leading with the tools they already have.”
In an informal webinar with observers ahead of INC-5.2, ICLEI gave space to a wide range of civil society voices – and many spoke with urgency, clarity, and passion.
Speaking on behalf of the Coalition – which represents over 100 local and subnational governments -, Veronique Amy Dion from the Government of Quebec called for the treaty to reflect their needs: from better information sharing to tailored support in implementing national plans.
Franklin Orona, from the Indigenous Peoples Caucus, reminded participants that “plastics infiltrate our foods, our waters, our medicines and ceremonies,” urging a treaty rooted in indigenous rights and knowledge.
Kabir Arora, from the International Alliance of Waste Pickers, pushed for stronger language on just transition: “Without binding obligations, more than 40 million waste pickers and their families will continue to be left behind.”
Dr. Bethany Carney Almroth, from the Scientists Coalition, stressed that upstream solutions, such as reducing production and eliminating harmful chemicals, are not optional: “The further along in the supply chain actions are implemented, the more expensive and complex they become.”
Speakers also reinforced the need for science-based monitoring, transparency, and global standards to ensure implementation and accountability.
Featured photo credit: ICLEI – Local Government for Sustainability.
