Interview with Stefan Grafenhorst on the Global Plastics Treaty

The third round of negotiations on a global plastics treaty will take place in Nairobi from November 13-19, 2023. In this interview, Stefan Grafenhorst, Vice President People & Sustainability Greiner AG, gives an insight into what the Global Plastics Treaty is all about and why we at Greiner are calling for such an agreement.

We have been reading in the media recently about the negotiations for an international plastics agreement (Global Plastics Treaty). What is this treaty about and why is it necessary?
Millions of tons of plastic end up in the environment every year. A global framework is needed to get the plastics crisis under control. Therefore, a global agreement or Plastics Treaty is necessary. The origin of the treaty lies in March 2022 through a decision by the UNEA, the United Nations Environment Assembly. The aim is to find a political framework for topics such as waste management, reduction targets, extended producer responsibility and product design.

The third round of negotiations (INC-3) on the agreement will take place in Nairobi from November 13-19. What will happen there?
Almost 200 UN member states have to reach an agreement. This is a mammoth task. The third round will deal with issues such as financing. Reduction targets are as well still a contentious topic because countries like Saudi Arabia reject them. India also has different ideas when it comes to plastic reduction targets. We are still a long way from a convergence of the various countries.

What results do you expect from the negotiations in Nairobi? And when can we expect this global plastics agreement?
There will be no final results from INC-3, the third round of negotiations in Nairobi. The zero draft (the first rough draft of the agreement) will be discussed. This draft should be refined in Nairobi. The final agreement is expected in 2025.

Why is this such an important issue for Greiner?
This agreement is so crucial to us because we believe that a global effort is needed to solve the crisis. Plastic is a valuable material that has no place in the environment. We are convinced that it will not work without political regulation.

Thank you very much for your insights, Stefan!