Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | 195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18 901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
Ph +64 4 439 8000, | Email:info at mfat.govt.nz
International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution, including in the Marine Environment
Treaty Type:
Multilateral
Common Name:
Plastics Treaty
Responsible Department:
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Administering Department:
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Treaty Summary:
At the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) from 28 February to 2 March 2022, countries across the world agreed to work towards a new global agreement on combatting marine plastic litter and plastic pollution.
The mandate agreed at UNEA-5.2 to negotiate a global agreement. The development of a global agreement will cover the full life cycle of plastics from production to disposal and will include microplastics in its scope.
The summary report of the UNEA’s Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics [UNEA website] identifies a range of potential options to address the marine plastic litter problem.
NZ Adherence Status:
In Progress
Negotiation Status:
Negotiations are ongoing
Organisation:
United Nations Environment Programme
Is Signed By NZ:
No
Signature Date:
Ratified or Signed:
No
Requires Ratification:
No
NZ Territorial Applications:
None
Information about required Legislation:
Impacts on Maori:
The Plastics Treaty is likely to impact all New Zealanders including Māori, from the manufacture and design of plastics and plastic products, through to the sale, use, and disposal of plastic waste. There will be positive impacts for te taiao, and the potential for new economic opportunities. There are also likely to be costs; e.g. investments, changing business models, new reporting/compliance requirements.
We are working closely with a range of stakeholders (including organisations such as Plastics NZ, Scion, Para Kore, Greenpeace and Aotearoa Plastic Pollution Alliance) who helped inform our Cabinet negotiating mandate agreed in 2022, and approach to each Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting. We have also been working closely with the Tāngata Whenua Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty (TWC), which is a collaborative forum of Māori plastic pollution experts committed to ensuring effective participation and representation of Tāngata Whenua throughout negotiations towards the plastic treaty.
Impacts on Stakeholders:
See above
If you would like further information about the plastics treaty, or would like to engage directly with us please contact UNPlasticsTreaty@mfe.govt.nz. You can also find more information and links to relevant documents about the plastics treaty on the Ministry for the Environment’s webpage: https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/international-action/towards-a-global-treaty-to-combat-plastic-pollution/.
Link To Legislation:
Treaty Text Link:
Contact Information:
If you would like more information about this Treaty please contact us using our contact form.