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21 July, 2025
Global Plastics Treaty
Sun 20 Jul, 2025
The world’s escalating plastic pollution crisis has prompted urgent global action. Under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), negotiations began in March 2022 through Resolution 5/14, aiming to develop a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty by 2025. While the environmental urgency is clear, the social dimension of this transition — particularly the protection of informal waste workers — has emerged as a critical issue in global discussions.
What is a Just Transition?
A Just Transition refers to ensuring fairness, inclusivity, and protection for workers and communities affected by shifts towards sustainable and low-carbon economies. Its core objective is to avoid the creation of new social injustices while addressing existing ones.
Key Features of Just Transition:
- Promotes green jobs and sustainable livelihoods
- Ensures social protection for vulnerable workers
- Provides training and retraining opportunities for employment in green sectors
- Recognizes the contributions of informal sector workers, especially waste pickers
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.1) — Busan Session, 2024
At the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.1) on plastic pollution held in Busan, South Korea, the discussion centered on integrating Just Transition principles into the treaty framework.
Highlights of INC-5.1:
- Acknowledged the significant contribution of informal waste pickers in global plastic recycling
- Emphasized the risk of economic displacement for workers in the plastics value chain
- Recognized the need for legal protections and clear roles for informal waste workers
However, despite acknowledgment, the draft treaty text fell short:
- Articles 8 and 9 merely encourage inclusion without mandating obligations
- Article 11 lacks specific financial mechanisms for just transition programs
- The role of informal workers remains undefined, risking marginalization in formal waste management systems
India’s Stand at INC-5.1
India expressed support for incorporating Just Transition provisions but underscored the following points:
| India’s Position | Explanation |
| Alignment with National Contexts | Implementation should respect national laws and local socio-economic realities |
| Clarity on Treaty Scope | The treaty should avoid overlap with existing conventions like Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, and frameworks like WTO |
| Rio Declaration Principles | Emphasized the importance of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) and the Right to Development for developing countries |
India stressed that international obligations must consider the unique developmental needs and capacities of nations, particularly the Global South.
Why is Just Transition Critical in the Plastics Debate
| Issue | Impact |
| Ban on Plastics | May lead to displacement of millions of workers in production, recycling, and waste management sectors |
| Exclusion from Policy | Risks marginalizing informal workers, many of whom depend on plastic waste picking for livelihood |
| Lack of Financial Support | Without binding financial provisions, countries may struggle to implement inclusive transition programs |
The path towards ending plastic pollution must be environmentally sustainable and socially equitable.