The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC) is a process coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The fourth session (INC-4) took place in the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Canada, from April 23rd to 29th of 2024. Although this is a country-driven negotiation process, it allows the attendance of non-governmental stakeholders as observers (such as industry representatives, academics, and civil society organizations). Over 2500 people attended INC-4, between Member States and observers. The negotiations focused on working on the Revised Zero Draft text. Main outcomes of INC-4 were the establishment of a mandate for intersessional work (technical work to be carried out between INC-4 and INC-5) and of a legal drafting group. The next and last INC is scheduled to happen from November 25th to December 1st in Busan, Republic of Korea, when the treaty text should be concluded.
Image: Plastic tap at INC4. Image credit: Natalia de Miranda Grilli.
