INC-4: Supporting the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee

The International Marine Litter Research Unit is supporting the global plastics treaty negotiations
Plastic polymer pellets in blue, orange and dark blue scattered
The global plastics treaty – designed to support progress towards the ambition set out within the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) – was committed to by 170 world leaders at the United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022. This legally binding instrument, to be established by 2024, will look to address the full life cycle of plastic, including in the marine environment.
The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) is scheduled to take place from 23 to 29 April 2024 at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada. The session will be preceded by regional consultations on 21 April 2024.
 
 
 
 
 

Our contribution to INC-4

University of Plymouth host side event at INC-4

Alternatives and substitutes: if plastics are the problem, is switching to different polymers or materials the solution?

During INC-4, we hosted a panel discussion with perspectives from academia, policy and industry.
Biodegradable polymers, recycled polymers, aluminium, glass, banana leaves, jute, algae and crustacean shells are all highlighted as potential alternatives and substitutes to help reduce plastic pollution. But is there clear evidence they are genuinely better and if so, in which contexts?
University of Plymouth INC-4 Side Event
Professor Richard Thompson highlights the harm microplastics inflict at INC-4 Partnerships Day
22 April 2024
“There is strong evidence of the environmental and economic harm of microplastics – we need to act now.” Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS calls for action at the INC-4 partnerships day, emphasising that there are solutions and ways forward at this 'once in a planet opportunity to develop an ambitious global plastics treaty'.
UK microbead ban in rinse-off products highlighted as a success story at INC-4 Partnerships Day
22 April 2024
Megan Leslie, President and CEO of WWF-Canada talks about the UK microbead ban in wash-off cosmetic products following the scientific identification of the scale of the problem by Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS and Dr Imogen Napper at the INC-4 Partnerships Day.
INC Chair, Luis Vaya Valdivieso talks about the discover of microplastics
22 April 2024
At the INC-4 Partnerships Day, INC chair, Luis Vaya Valdivieso talks about the discovery of microplastics by Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS , talking about the documentation of widespread presence in the ocean 20 years ago.
In 2004, Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS and his team were the first to show that microplastic particles have accumulated in oceans since the 1960s and are now globally present in our seas.
Professor Richard Thompson joins other prominent scientists, calling for the global plastics treaty to be grounded in robust science
18 April 2024
Writing in the journal Science, four prominent members of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty have said such a body should incorporate “a robust conflict of interest policy” to ensure unbiased, evidence-based decisions about the future of plastics.
Professor Richard Thompson was a panel member at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Launch and Panel Discussion | Climate Impacts of Plastics: Global Actions to Stem Climate Change and End Plastic Pollution
20 March 2024
With an audience of nearly 400 people, the event launched a new report by GRID-Arendal, “Climate Impacts of Plastics: Global Actions to Stem Climate Change and End Plastic Pollution” that seeks to identify options for measures and strengthen governmental accountability in addressing the climate impacts of plastics. In the intersessional period in the run-up to the INC-4 this event, organized within the framework of the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues, shed light on the interlinkages between plastics and the triple planetary crisis and provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss how a plastics treaty can deliver co-benefits to end plastic pollution and stem climate change.

University of Plymouth at INC-4

  • Professor Richard Thompson speaking on the panel at the INC-4 Partnerships Day

    Professor Richard Thompson speaking on the panel at the INC-4 Partnerships Day

  • University of Plymouth delegation at INC-4

    University of Plymouth delegation at INC-4

  • Professor Richard Thompson speaking at the INC-4 Partnerships Day

    Professor Richard Thompson speaking at the INC-4 Partnerships Day

  • University staff at the British High Commission hosted reception at INC-4

    Professor Richard Thompson and Dr Max Kelly at the British High Commission reception in Ottawa for INC-4

  • Professor Richard Thompson talking at the Insights for negotiators from scenario modelling’ Co-Hosted by: UK Government, OECD & Systemiq

    Professor Richard Thompson on the panel at the 'Insights for negotiators from scenario modelling’, hosted by UK Government, OECD & Systemiq

  • Dr Francesca De Falco, Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones and Dr Max Kelly at INC-4

    Dr Francesca De Falco, Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones and Dr Max Kelly at INC-4

 
 

Evidence-informed solutions

Over the past two decades, we have developed a detailed understanding of the impacts of plastic marine litter and driving a solutions-based approach.

Getty image 872418096 tyres 
Environmental Issue: Underwater image of Plastic in the Ocean. The location here is Phi Phi Islands, Krabi, Thailand.
Close up of blue clothes hanging up

Supporting the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution

“Twenty years ago there was denial that plastics presented an environmental issue. We now have that consensus exemplified in the UN Global Plastics Treaty. That’s a mandate for global change. What is critical now is that we have the same quality of independent scientific evidence to guide the way to solutions as we have had in defining the problem. The role of science is critical in addressing environmental challenges or we will repeat mistakes of the past.”
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS , Director of the Marine Institute
United Nations

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International Marine Litter Research Unit

Marine litter is a global environmental problem with items of debris now contaminating habitats from the poles to the equator, from the sea surface to the deep sea.
Furthering our understanding of litter on the environment and defining solutions.
Marine litter