Non-Party Trade Provisions in Multilateral Environmental Agreements: Key Elements for Consideration in the Context of a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution (April 2023)

Multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) aim to address environmental issues of global concern by creating uniform and streamlined approaches and rules that apply to all parties.  Treaties serve as agreements between two (or more) States that enter into an agreement, thus creating specific obligations and rights for those parties. It is generally recognized that a treaty … Read More.

Investigation Details Industry’s Attempts to Flood Africa with Plastic Pollution

Freedom of Information Act-released documents expose how US trade negotiations may undermine Kenya’s progress on plastic and chemical safety  Washington, DC—Investigative reports by the New York Times and Unearthed reveal close coordination between chemical and plastic industry representatives and Trump Administration officials as they negotiate a trade deal with Kenya that would undo environmental and … Read More.

CIEL Applauds New International Effort to Combat Plastic Pollution

Launch of Group of Friends to Combat Marine Plastic is a Meaningful Step Toward a Global Treaty Geneva–The following is a statement from Andrés Del Castillo, Senior Attorney, Environmental Health Program at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) on today’s launch of the Group of Friends to Combat Marine Plastic: “Plastic is now an … Read More.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis with the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act

As plastic continues to suffocate the planet, the first comprehensive legislative plan in the United States to combat plastic pollution, the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, was launched today at the US Capitol. The bill, introduced by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), seeks to address the plastic pollution crisis by … Read More.

Plastic Atlas Demonstrates Scale of Plastic Pollution Crisis and Solutions for a Zero-waste Future

49 detailed infographics over 19 chapters cover many aspects of plastic production, consumption, and disposal. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 2019 (Originally posted at Heinrich Böll Stiftung: https://www.boell.de/en/2019/10/31/plastic-atlas-demonstrates-scale-plastic-pollution-crisis-and-solutions-zero-waste) Brussels/Manila/Washington, DC — Today, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Break Free From Plastic movement have published the international English edition of the Plastic Atlas, holding launch … Read More.

Coalition of Environmental Groups Oppose Flawed Plastic Pollution Bill Being Voted on in U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2019 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will vote on the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act. A group of 38 environmental organizations have banded together to urge the Committee members to reject this flawed piece of legislation and demand meaningful action. (See the joint letter below … Read More.

Legal Petition Seeks Ban on Plastic Pollution From Petrochemical Plants

Decades-old EPA Limits Require Update As Plastic Production Booms FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 23, 2019 WASHINGTON― More than 270 community and conservation organizations filed a legal petition today that demands the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopt strict new water-pollution limits for industrial plants that create plastic. Plastic plants discharged 128 million pounds of pollutants into … Read More.

Tyranny of the Minority Slows International Progress on Addressing Plastic Pollution

UNEA-4 Agreement Does Not Deliver at Scale and Urgency Needed March 15, 2019 Nairobi, Kenya – At the 4th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4), member states of the UN Environment Programme failed to meet expectations to confront the ever-growing plastic-pollution crisis threatening our waterways, ecosystems, and health. At UNEA-4, member states considered … Read More.

Plastic and Human Health: A Lifecycle Approach to Plastic Pollution

Despite being one of the most pervasive materials on the planet, plastic and its impact on human health remain poorly understood. Yet exposure to plastic is expanding into new areas of the environment and food chain as existing plastic products fragment into smaller particles and concentrate toxic chemicals. As plastic production increases, this exposure will … Read More.

EU Takes Major Step Forward in Stopping Single-Use Plastic Pollution

Today’s vote by European Parliament demonstrates EU’s leadership leading up to international expert meeting on plastic pollution in December FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 24, 2018 Strasbourg, France — Today, a great majority in the European Parliament voted to strengthen EU efforts to stop pollution caused by single-use plastics. Through this vote, Parliament brought the EU … Read More.

Stopping Plastic Pollution

Plastics are a pollutant of unique concern, as they do not break down quickly and accumulate in the environment as more is produced. They carry toxic impacts throughout their lifecycle — from the impacts of drilling at the wellhead, to the release of pollutants at plastic production plants affecting fenceline communities, to the plastic waste … Read More.

UN Initiative Agrees to Spearhead Fight Against Marine Plastic Pollution

December 6, 2017 NAIROBI. Efforts to address global plastic pollution took a significant step forward today as world governments agreed to establish a specialist group tasked with examining options to combat marine plastic pollution. In a resolution adopted at the 3rd meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 3), Member States supported a series … Read More.

How Can the European Union Legislation Tackle Microplastics Pollution (July, 2022)

With plastic production expected to skyrocket in the coming years, microplastic pollution is set to become a runaway challenge if adequate preventive measures are not put in place quickly. Effective solutions that prioritize prevention must be implemented now to prevent microplastic pollution and minimize its impacts on our global ecosystems and climate for the generations … Read More.

This Earth Day, It’s Time to #EndPlasticPollution

Our oceans, river systems, marine animals, and health are being threatened by a pollutant that’s all around us, yet sometimes invisible to the eye: plastics. Whether it’s an empty bag of chips floating in a nearby stream or microplastics ingested by both humans and marine animals, plastics have become a ubiquitous and destructive commodity. As … Read More.

Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Outnumber National Delegations, Scientists, and Indigenous Peoples at Plastics Treaty Negotiations

OTTAWA, April 25, 2024 — 196 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists have registered for the critical fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to advance a global plastics treaty. A new analysis from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), in collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples Caucus, Greenpeace, the Break Free From Plastic … Read More.

March to End the Plastic Era, led by Indigenous Peoples and impacted community leaders, exposes how plastic poisons people across its full lifecycle

Break Free From Plastic members and allies peacefully demand a human-rights based approach to the Plastics Treaty ahead of fourth round of negotiations Ottawa, Canada | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People, April 21, 2024— Today, hundreds of impacted community leaders and experts from around the world came together in the streets of Ottawa … Read More.

INC-4: Ticking Clock in Ottawa for Critical Plastics Treaty Negotiations

In less than a week, over 4,000 representatives from UN Member States and observers from around the world will gather in Ottawa, Canada, for the fourth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee to advance a plastics treaty (INC-4). Previous negotiations have swirled around procedural issues, leading to delays and frustrations. As the clock ticks with … Read More.

CIEL Expert Availability at the Fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) for a Plastics Treaty in Ottawa, Canada

OTTAWA, CAN – Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Ottawa and available for comment during the Fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to advance a plastics treaty from April 23-29, 2024.  CIEL experts will closely follow negotiations, tracking progress toward advancing a draft of the treaty text. In particular, they will be … Read More.

WTO MC13 Recognizes the Importance of the Plastics Treaty Negotiations

DUBAI, UAE — The Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) closed with a Ministerial Statement on Plastic Pollution. The Ministerial Statement proposes a series of actions to curb trade in plastics, promotes “alternatives” and “substitutes” to plastics, and recognizes the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) process of the plastics treaty as the lead … Read More.

Preparatory Materials for the Fourth Plastics Treaty Negotiations (INC-4)

In 2022, United Nations Member States adopted a mandate to negotiate an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. The mandate sets out a goal for the plastics treaty to be negotiated before the end of 2024.  In April 2024, Member States will come together to participate in the fourth session of the Intergovernmental … Read More.

Empty Efforts to Derail Plastics Treaty Negotiations at UNEA-6 Fail

The Mandate to Advance Negotiations for a Plastics Treaty Still Stands — Despite Efforts to Undermine the Upcoming Negotiations   NAIROBI, KENYA, MARCH 1, 2024 — The Ministerial Declaration of the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) was adopted earlier today. The declaration includes a reaffirmation of UNEA resolution 5/14 — the mandate to create … Read More.

Ambition Meets Inertia in Third Session of Global Plastic Treaty Talks

Absent a Major Course Correction, Ottawa will host a “Polite but Massive Failure.” NAIROBI — A week of negotiations in Nairobi left all options on the table for a proposed Global Plastic Treaty but fell far short of the progress needed to deliver an ambitious treaty on an equally ambitious timeline. Governments that began the … Read More.

CIEL Expert Availability at the Third Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) for a Plastics Treaty in Nairobi, Kenya

NAIROBI, KEN – Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Nairobi and available for comment during the Third Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) to advance a plastics treaty from November 13 – 19.  CIEL experts will closely follow negotiations, tracking progress toward adopting a mandate to advance the draft of the future plastics … Read More.

Reducing Plastic Production to Achieve Climate Goals: Key Considerations for the Plastics Treaty Negotiations (September 2023)

Plastic production is currently on an upward trajectory and is projected to continue increasing exponentially. Global plastic polymer production doubled from 2000 to 2019, reaching 460 million tonnes (Mt) per year, and it is anticipated to almost triple from 2019 levels by 2050. This uncontrolled growth threatens the global climate, as well as human health, … Read More.

Preparatory Materials for the Plastics Treaty INC-3 (November 2023)

In 2022, United Nations Member States adopted a mandate to negotiate an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. The mandate sets out a goal for the plastics treaty to be negotiated before the end of 2024.  The negotiations about the treaty’s design, reach, and function began first in an ad hoc Open-Ended Working … Read More.

Preparatory Materials for the Plastics Treaty INC-2 (May 2023)

In March 2022, United Nations Member States adopted a mandate to negotiate a global plastics treaty at the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2). The mandate, “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument,” sets out a goal for the treaty to be negotiated before the end of 2024. While … Read More.

CIEL Expert Availability at the Second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) for a Plastics Treaty in Paris, France

PARIS, FR – Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts are in Paris and available for comment during the Second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) to advance a plastics treaty from May 29th – June 2nd.  CIEL experts will closely follow negotiations, tracking progress toward establishing a mandate for developing a zero draft of the treaty … Read More.

Previewing the Second Round of Negotiations to Advance a Plastics Treaty

In a little under two weeks, thousands of negotiators and observers will gather in Paris, France, for the second intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC-2) to advance a plastics treaty. Center for International Environmental Law staff will join allies and partners representing rightsholders, workers and trade unions, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and people living on the frontlines of … Read More.

Breathing Plastic: The Health Impacts of Invisible Plastics in the Air

As the world’s understanding of the plastics crisis grows, new facets of the problem emerge and reveal impacts on human health and the environment. Recent advances in science are allowing scientists to explore how micro- and nanoplastics form a critical piece of the plastic pollution problem. First thought to be mainly a marine pollution issue, … Read More.

Beyond Recycling: Reckoning with Plastics in a Circular Economy (March 2023)

As the world considers how to address the growing impacts of the triple planetary crises of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss, many discussions point toward a circular economy approach as a much-needed solutions pathway. The term circular economy is routinely used in conversations and policy discussions that center on re-envisioning the full system of … Read More.

Beyond Recycling: Reckoning with Plastics in a Circular Economy

As the world considers how to address the growing impacts of the triple planetary crises of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss, many discussions point toward a circular economy approach as a much-needed solutions pathway. The term circular economy is routinely used in conversations and policy discussions that center on re-envisioning the full system of … Read More.

Center for International Environmental Law Staff React to Developments During Early Negotiations on the Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution Prevention

February 3, 2022 BANGKOK (TH) —The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) welcomed steps taken by States gathered in Thailand to advance the establishment of a new Science-Policy Panel on the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. Despite a limited agenda and some challenges in the run-up to the meeting, States … Read More.

Center for International Environmental Law Staff Respond to Developments During First Round of Plastics Treaty Negotiations

PUNTA DEL ESTE (UY) — This week, States and stakeholders from around the world gathered in Uruguay to begin the negotiations to advance an international plastics treaty.  While the agenda for the first meeting of the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC-1) appeared to be full of procedural matters, critical decisions ranging from the composition of the … Read More.

Ahead of a Winter Energy Crisis, the EU Needs to Cut Plastic Production

New report reveals the urgency to cut plastic production to reduce the European Union’s dependence on fossil fuels and Russian oil and gas September 27th, 2022 BRUSSELS (BE) – As the EU faces a looming gas shortage, EU countries are looking to consumers to shoulder the brunt of reductions and are pursuing deals to secure new … Read More.

Louisiana Court Delivers Major Victory in Fight Against Formosa Plastics

September 14, 2022 Washington, DC / New Orleans, LA — Today, a Louisiana District Court threw out the air permits issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) to FG LA, a Formosa Plastics Group company, for the construction of a massive new petrochemical complex in St. James Parish, Louisiana. The court determined that … Read More.

CIEL Expert Availability at Upcoming Plastics Treaty Negotiations in Dakar, Senegal

Center for International Environmental Law Experts Will Be Attending the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) to Prepare for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on a Plastics Treaty DAKAR, SE / GENEVA, CH, May 25th, 2022 – Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be following upcoming plastics treaty negotiations at the Ad Hoc Open-Ended … Read More.

Ensuring Meaningful Stakeholder Involvement in the Plastics Treaty Negotiations

Following the United Nations Environment Assembly’s adoption of a mandate to negotiate an international, legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution entitled “End plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument,” it is essential to prepare the work for the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC). The INC is tasked with discussing and finalizing the objective, scope, … Read More.

Momentum Towards a Global Plastics Treaty: Update After UNEA 5.2

Six years ago, a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution seemed impossible. But last month, the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) concluded with the historic passage of a mandate to do just that. One hundred seventy-five countries adopted a resolution titled End Plastic Pollution: Towards a legally … Read More.

CIEL Statement on California AG Investigation into Plastics and Petrochemical Companies

Today, California State Attorney General Rob Bonta announced an investigation into the role ExxonMobil and other plastics and petrochemical companies have played in the mounting plastics crisis, including evidence that the industry intentionally misled consumers and the public about plastics recycling.  Carroll Muffett, President of the Center for International Environmental Law, issued the following statement: … Read More.

UNEA 5.2: Historic Advances on Global Plastics Treaty, Chemicals

NAIROBI, KENYA — The second part of the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) concluded on Wednesday night, with the historic passage of a mandate to advance an international treaty on plastic production, the establishment of an Intergovernmental Panel on Chemicals, and a wide variety of measures to address chemicals and waste.  Despite the hybrid … Read More.

Momentum Towards an International Instrument on Plastics: Update Ahead of UNEA 5.2

Since 2017, state parties, regional groups, and multiple stakeholders have introduced formal propositions and issued declarations concerning a new global instrument to address the plastics crisis, demonstrating that movement towards such an instrument is picking up. But new global instruments do not happen overnight — before negotiations can begin, a mandate must be established and … Read More.

Toward a New Instrument Addressing the Full Life Cycle of Plastics Overview of the Typology of International Legal Instruments (Jan 2022)

Over the last decade, there has been a swell of voluntary initiatives and regulations designed to address the plastics crisis. More recently, the subject of an intergovernmental, legal instrument designed to address pollution from plastic has emerged in various international fora. Between 2017 and 2020, parties, regional groups, and stakeholders submitted 10 formal propositions concerning … Read More.

Over 700 Groups Call for an International Plastics Treaty

Civil Society, Indigenous Peoples, Workers and Trade Unions, Youth, Women’s Organizations Urge UN Member States to Negotiate a Global Legally Binding Agreement to Address the Plastics Crisis. December 14th, 2021 GENEVA — Today, over 700 groups from 113 countries called upon United Nations Member States to agree to establish a legally binding global instrument — … Read More.

Leading Groups From Civil Society, Indigenous People, Workers and Trade Unions and Members of Governments Speak on the Need For a Global Treaty on Plastics

Panels to Discuss the Urgent Need to Establish a New Legally Binding International Instrument to Address the Plastic Crisis.  On Wednesday, December 14th, 2021, members of governments, representative organizations, and groups from civil society, Indigenous People, workers, and trade unions will launch a call to action for United Nations Member States to agree to establish … Read More.

The Toxic Impacts of Plastic Across its Lifecycle

Plastic is one of the most ubiquitous materials in the economy and among Earth’s most pervasive and persistent pollutants. So when developing policy responses to the plastic crisis, it is essential to look beyond plastics to adjacent sectors, such as the chemicals, waste, and petrochemicals industries. Simply put, plastics are fossil fuels in another form, … Read More.

US Support for Plastic Treaty Welcome, Support for Bold Action Must Follow

November 18, 2021 Washington, DC — Following US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s announcement that the United States supports the development of a global agreement to end plastic pollution, Jane Patton, Plastic and Petrochemical Campaign Manager at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) issued the following statement:  “We welcome the announcement that the United … Read More.

Plastic is Carbon: Unwrapping the ‘Net Zero’ Myth (Oct 2021)

In recent years, the plastics and petrochemical industry has embraced the idea of “net-zero plastic” to greenwash expanded plastic production and use. Their narratives tout zero-emissions plastic, but there is no way around it: plastic is carbon. It is a major threat to our climate, and can never be a part of any solution to … Read More.

New Report on Formosa Plastics Group Reveals Danger of Plastics Production

From Taiwan to Texas, Cambodia to Cancer Alley; Petrochemical Giant Poses Threat to Communities and the Environment October 6, 2021 Washington, DC — Formosa Plastics Group’s six-decade track record is riddled with environmental, health, safety, and labor violations, including devastating accidents and persistent pollution in multiple countries, according to a comprehensive new report released today. … Read More.

Over 120 States Affirm: It’s Time for a Global Treaty on Plastic

International NGOs applaud the draft resolution as a significant step in addressing the plastic crisis September 3, 2021 Geneva — The first-ever Ministerial Conference on marine litter and plastic pollution saw the introduction of a groundbreaking draft resolution recommending a legally binding global mechanism addressing the plastic crisis. Now, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and … Read More.

Academics and Attorneys Call for An International Plastic Treaty

New Article in Science Argues that a Bold, Comprehensive, Full Life Cycle Approach to the Plastic Pollution Crisis is Necessary Geneva — Attempts to regulate plastic through regional or piecemeal approaches are ultimately insufficient to address the scale and projected expansion of the industry. Instead, a team of attorneys and academics argue in an article … Read More.

House Subcommittee Briefed on Plastics, Health and COVID-19

CIEL President Joins Expert Panel to Discuss Mounting Risks Washington, DC—Carroll Muffett, President of the Center for International Environmental Law President will address a congressional briefing this afternoon on the intersecting human health risks of plastics, COVID-19, and the climate crisis. Muffett will appear as part of the House Oversight and Reform Environment Subcommittee’s briefing … Read More.

Intimidation Tactics In Louisiana Won’t Silence Opposition To Formosa Plastics

40+ groups express outrage over arrests of Louisiana Bucket Brigade leaders, vow to stop Formosa’s plans to poison the Black community in St. James BATON ROUGE, LA: Two leaders of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade were charged under Louisiana’s felony “terrorizing” law today for placing a box filled with Formosa Plastics’ illegally discharged plastic pellets, called … Read More.

Legal Petition Seeks New Air Pollution Standards for Petrochemical Plants

December 3, 2019 Increasing Plastic Production Pollutes Communities, Fuels Global Warming WASHINGTON, DC ― More than 350 community and conservation organizations filed a legal petition today that demands the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopt strict air pollution standards for industrial plants that create plastic. Rising plastic production in the United States is releasing toxic air … Read More.

Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet

The plastic pollution crisis that overwhelms our oceans is also a significant and growing threat to the Earth’s climate. At current levels, greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic lifecycle threaten the ability of the global community to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. With the petrochemical and plastic industries planning a massive expansion in production, … Read More.

Missing the mark: Why you should be wary of pro-plastic claims

Is your cotton tote really worse than your plastic bag? Claims promoting plastic as a “climate-friendly” material have managed to inundate the social media landscape lately, perpetuating a fundamental misunderstanding of the link between plastic, fossil fuels, and climate change. Plastic and climate change are not mutually exclusive; they are inherently interconnected. Claims that plastic … Read More.

UN Chemical Negotiations Limit Toxic Plastic Waste Exports and Ban Toxic PFOA, but Fail Yet Again to Take Action on Multiple Toxic Chemicals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2019 Geneva, Switzerland — Today, the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions concluded, with some major steps taken by parties to control the trade and management of certain toxic chemicals: Basel Convention: Countries Take Major Step to Control Plastic Waste Dumping, Stop Major Loophole for Electronic Waste Today, 187 countries took a … Read More.

UN Decides to Control Global Plastic Waste Dumping

Major Plastic Waste Producers Must Get Consent Before Exporting their Toxic Trash to Global South FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2019 Geneva, Switzerland — Today, 187 countries took a major step forward in curbing the plastic waste crisis by adding plastic to the Basel Convention, a treaty that controls the movement of hazardous waste from … Read More.

Plastic is a global health crisis, and it requires global solutions

This blog post was originally posted by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. There is a global health crisis hiding in plain sight. It’s being transported along our roadways and released into our skies. It surrounds us in our homes and offices. It plagues our oceans, our waterways, and our soil. It’s even in the food we … Read More.

Plastic Threatens Human Health at a Global Scale – New Report

February 19, 2019 Washington, DC—A new report released today reveals that plastic is a human health crisis hiding in plain sight. Plastic & Health: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet, authored by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Earthworks, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF), IPEN, Texas Environmental Justice … Read More.

Plastic & Health: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet (February 2019)

Despite being one of the most pervasive materials on the planet, plastic and its impact on human health is poorly understood. Human exposure to it grows with increasing plastic production and use. Research into the human health impacts of plastic to date has focused narrowly on specific moments in the plastic life cycle, from wellhead … Read More.

Fossil Fuels & Plastic

Just as the world begins to realize the dangers of plastic pollution and take action to reduce it, industry is poised to invest billions in expanding plastic production. Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, and the fossil fuel and plastic industries are deeply connected. Indeed, the shale gas boom … Read More.

Lifecycle Impacts of Plastic

Ocean plastic pollution is a highly visible consequence of the plastic crisis, yet it’s far from the only one. The often-hidden impacts of plastic throughout production, use, and disposal have just as dire impacts on our climate, our environment, and our health. Understanding these impacts is the first step to addressing them. The narrow approaches … Read More.

Plastic Global Law & Policy

The solutions to plastic pollution are complex, transboundary, and multilateral. With plastic sources so varied, ranging from textiles and tire dust to plastic bottles and packaging, the requisite global response must be holistic and dynamic, requiring coordinated action by diverse stakeholders at the national, regional, and international levels. Despite the growing recognition that long-term, comprehensive, … Read More.

Plastic

Plastic is a pollutant of unique concern, as it does not break down quickly and instead accumulates in the environment as more is produced. It carries toxic impacts throughout its life cycle — from the impacts of oil and gas drilling, to plastic refining and manufacture, to waste management, to plastic pollution that ends up … Read More.

Plastic & Health

Plastic & Health: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet Despite being one of the most pervasive materials on the planet, plastic and its impact on human health is poorly understood. Human exposure to it grows with increasing plastic production and use. Research into the human health impacts of plastic to date have focused narrowly … Read More.

A Global Response to the Global Plastic Crisis

We are overwhelmed by plastic pollution. This is the last call to save the planet. Marine plastic pollution is now under the magnifying glass of a group of experts tasked with recommending a global response to the plastics crisis. Here’s what to expect at their meeting next week. Plastics are a product of the fossil … Read More.

The Uncertain Future of Big Plastic

In the 1960s, investing in plastics was a safe bet, and the plastics boom showed no sign of slowing down. But in 2018, the future of the plastic industry is less clear. In the US, plastic production is ramping up as natural gas fracking has led to extremely cheap feedstocks for plastic production. The plastic … Read More.

Support Grows to Control Plastic Waste in International Trade Treaty

Global Partnership for Action on Plastic Waste Also Proposed FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 6, 2018 Geneva – The 11th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Basel Convention, the world’s only international treaty on waste control, concluded with widespread and growing support for a proposal by Norway to add plastic waste to the list of … Read More.

Progress on Plastics: Ongoing Updates

Recognizing plastic pollution as a serious and rapidly growing issue of concern that requires an urgent global response, both the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) and 2017 UN Oceans Conference have set into motion enhanced global action on ocean plastics. At the UNEA3 meeting in December 2017, States formed an Ad-Hoc Open-Ended Expert Group (AHOEEG) to present … Read More.

New Investments in Plastic Deserve Greater Scrutiny

Industry is currently investing billions in capacity to expand plastic production. But as the world phases out fossil fuels and awareness of the dangers of plastics increases, it begs the question: Is plastic production a good long-term investment? Around the world, countries, cities, and individuals are ramping up efforts to phase out fossil fuels, but … Read More.

New Report Warns of Hidden Economic Risks to Booming Plastics Investments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2018 Washington, DC—A new report released today by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) raises new and significant questions about the economic rationale for the massive wave of new infrastructure investments in plastics and petrochemicals. Untested Assumptions and Unanswered Questions in the Plastics Boom highlights global changes that threaten … Read More.

Plastics Industry Knew its Products were Polluting Oceans by 1970s, Then Spent Decades Denying Responsibility and Fighting Regulation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2017 Washington, DC — A new report released today by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) examines the plastics industry’s knowledge of the ocean plastics problem, answering the question: When did industry become aware of the problems caused by their products, and what did they do about it? The … Read More.

Countries Should Tackle Pollution at Its Source at UNEA-3

From November 27 to December 6 in Nairobi, Kenya, the CIEL team will participate in the third meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-3). UNEA, the main governing body of the United Nations Environment Programme, is the highest political forum on environmental matters, involving all 193 Member States of the UN, as well as … Read More.

Fueling Plastics: New Research Details Fossil Fuel Role in Plastics Proliferation

Massive Petrochemical Investments Could Lock In Flood of New Plastics for Decades FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 21, 2017 Washington, DC – The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) today launched an ongoing investigative series, Fueling Plastics, examining the deep linkages between the fossil fuels and plastics industries and the products they produce, and exposing how … Read More.

Paving the Way to a Toxic-Free Planet: The New Global Framework on Chemicals – for a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste

Published January 31, 2024 By Giulia Carlini, Manager and Senior Attorney in CIEL’s Environmental Health program, David Azoulay, Director of the Environmental Health Program, and Catherine Allary, Communications Campaign Specialist. After years of negotiations, the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) successfully adopted a new global framework on September 30, 2023, in Bonn, Germany, … Read More.

Our Staff

Lindsey Jurca Durland Communications Campaigns Specialist Lindsey Jurca Durland (she/her) is a Communications Campaign Specialist with CIEL’s Fossil Economy Program. Based out of California, her work focuses on exposing the petrochemical industry for its role in threatening human health and precipitating the climate crisis. Prior to joining CIEL, Lindsey worked as a consultant developing winning … Read More.

Our Staff

Dharmesh Shah Consulting Senior Campaigner (Plastics Treaty) Dharmesh Shah is the Consulting Senior Campaigner with CIEL’s Environmental Health Program and is based out of India. His work focuses primarily on strategy, coordination, support and mobilizing of the diverse coalition of civil society organizations co-leading the efforts to deliver an effective global plastics treaty. Before joining … Read More.