International

The latest negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty have failed to reach agreement thanks to push back from oil producing states and petrochemical industry balking at the idea of limiting the production of plastic. The 2025 negotiations were to be the critical final phase of the progress of the Global Plastics Treaty. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address plastic pollution and reshape the future landscape of the plastics industry into a more circular economy.

For context, the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution was set up to develop an international, legally-binding treaty targeting plastics pollution and to eliminate plastic waste by 2040. ORCIE has been closely following the Treaty Process and Sue Wilson, csj participated in the 2024 INC-4 in Ottawa. Before this month’s talks in Geneva, the INC had already met five times, most recently in Busan, South Korea in 2024, and had expected to finalize the treaty in 2025. Instead, frustrated by debate over whether to focus on plastic waste reduction or address the entire plastic lifecycle (from design to the phasing out of harmful chemicals) the negotiations ended with no agreement.

For excellent coverage read this excellent article from National Catholic Reporter: With no treaty to control plastics, concern over harm to people and planet grows.

There is good news! The majority of countries remain committed to securing binding targets to curb plastic pollution, and all countries will remain at the table. Canada played a key role, by championing the rights of Indigenous people and insisting any treaty must include real measures to curb plastic pollution. 

What now? It is our collective advocacy that has kept true hope alive for an effective treaty to end plastic pollution. With Environmental Defence you can send a letter to Canada’s Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin, encouraging her to continue to take ambitious action to end plastic pollution. In the meantime, Canada can get to work at home to strengthen its own policies and regulations to eliminate harmful plastic products and chemical additives while supporting alternatives to single-use plastics, including accessible reuse and refill systems. 

ORCIE is working with organizations from across Canadian civil society to call upon the government of Canada to fulfill our fair share of the global effort to confront the climate crisis. As the 30th annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) approaches, Prime Minister Carney has a generational opportunity and responsibility to lead boldly on climate justice, economic transformation, and international solidarity.

The climate emergency was created and is accelerated by a deeply unjust global economic system that is unfairly distorted against Indigenous communities and the Global South.

Countries like Canada – one of the wealthiest in the world, one of the largest historic climate polluters and one of the primary crude oil and gas producers – must contribute its fair share towards global climate action. We must not only make a domestic just
energy transition off fossil fuels but must also use our wealth – generated from resource extraction at home and around the world – to support the Global South to do the same and adapt to the climate crisis.

The Fair Share Platform for Global Climate Equity

This is not charity, but an imperative – recognized under the 2015 Paris Agreement – that countries must fund global climate actions according to their responsibility for the climate crisis and their ability to pay.

Why this matters

We believe that the time has come to reckon with Canada’s role in the international community. Canada can show leadership in supporting energy transitions around the world. We can also help transform unfair systems that have become barriers to climate action.

Doing our fair share means building a new package of support to the international community from the Canadian government – rooted in justice and led by social movements.

• Triple Canada’s climate finance to support the Global South with grants, not loans.
• Cancel unjust Global South debt and free billions for climate solutions.
• Make big polluters and the ultra-rich pay their fair share. 
• End trade rules that undermine climate action. 

Read the full platform for a detailed breakdown of how Canada can do its part in the global climate fight.

Individuals are encouraged to sign the petition to send these demands to the Prime Minister and key cabinet ministers.

Religious congregations are invited to sign on as an organization and can do so through this form.