The Global Plastic Treaty negotiations:
The dynamic between the EU's multilateral and internal green agenda
States are negotiating a global treaty to end plastic pollution, with the ambition “to land one of the most significant environmental decisions since the Paris Agreement” by the end of 2024 (Canada’s Minister of Environment, at INC-4 in April 2024). To end plastic pollution, the draft treaty reflects a “life cycle approach” – from extraction to production, design, usage and disposal; combined with ambitious means of implementation for developing countries. The problem is complex, the stakes are high, and the interests are diverse – among states and regions, civil society, and industry. In parallel, the EU is in the process of ‘greening’ the plastics value chain through internal measures, such as unprecedented packaging, product and disclosure requirements. These measures will also affect non-EU products and companies.
This lecture will navigate you through the status and dynamics of the global plastic treaty negotiations, with a particular focus on the position of the EU and its Member States and the interplay with the EU’s internal green deal agenda.
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Speaker
Dominic Coppens
He is Professor of International Economic law at Maastricht University and Senior Managing Associate at Sidley Austin LLP in Brussels. His current research and practice focus on sustainability law, and the intersection between international economic
law and environmental law. Dominic is closely involved in the global negotiations; and most recently participated as observer in INC-4 in Canada (April 2024) and as expert in the intercessional expert meetings in Bangkok (August 2024). Dominic also collaborates in interdisciplinary research at Maastricht University on aligning science, law and company strategies on plastics and alternatives to address the triple planetary crisis.
Environmental Law Lecture Series
This lecture is part of the Environmental Law Lecture Series: Strengthening EU Environmental Law, Legal Perspectives on Greening Europe series. This series provides a set of important insights from environmental law scholars on how EU environmental law helps to achieve the aim of a high level of environmental protection in the European Union and across the world.
With the European Green Deal from 11 December 2019 the European Commission tabled an ambitious legislative program, based on fundamental aims such as zero pollution, do no harm, and climate neutrality. Many legal developments took place and are still ongoing, both at the European and national regulatory levels as in the courtroom, including the national courts. While efforts to protect the environment are direly needed, including effective implementation and enforcement, the regulatory acquis, and the flow of case law, has become utterly complex which poses challenges for acquiring a good understanding and application.
This freely accessible online (and hybrid) lecture series provides students and scholars with core insights into the state of affairs and further improvement of EU environmental law. The lecture series will run in 2023 and 2024. All lectures will be recorded and will be made accessible through our YouTube channel.
This GreenDeal-Net lecture series is hosted by MCEL, METRO and organised in cooperation with GLaw-Net and GreenDeal-NET. Maastricht University students will be eligible for certificates of attendance (see more information under the registration link).