Carmichael to lead parliamentary debate on Global Plastics Treaty

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has secured a debate in the House of Commons on the Global Plastics Treaty, to be held on Thursday 17th July. The debate, backed by MPs across Parliament and initiated with the support of environmental group Greenpeace, will be an opportunity for parliamentarians to discuss policy priorities for tackling plastic pollution ahead of the next round of negotiations over the Global Plastics Treaty this summer.

UN Member States are currently negotiating a legally-binding, international agreement on plastics that will address the entire life cycle of plastics, from design to production and disposal. The next session of negotiations will held on the 5 to 14 August 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr Carmichael previously introduced the Plastic Pollution Bill to Parliament, which would have set legally binding targets for ministers to cut plastic pollution in the UK, but was not taken up by the last government.

Mr Carmichael said:

“I am delighted to have secured this debate to press the government on what they are doing to support the Global Plastics Treaty. While there is much we can do individually and as individual governments, the issue of plastic pollution – like all pollution – is a global one, which requires global commitments to tackle it. That is why leadership from our government, driven by Parliament and by supportive organisations, is so vital to get this treaty over the line in August. The clock is ticking.

“Plastic pollution is a matter of particular concern for people in the Northern Isles – we see it on our coastline every single day. The sea connects us all, as anyone who finds the detritus of fishing nets and plastic packaging on our shores can attest.

“This is an issue that knows no border and recognises no party and so I am glad to have secured broad cross-party support to bring this debate to Parliament. We can and must drive more action to cut plastic pollution for the good of our planet and future generations.”

Rudy Schulkind, Political Campaigner, Greenpeace UK said:

“This is a historic opportunity for the UK government to create a lasting legacy that ends plastic pollution and puts people before polluters. Plastic production could triple by 2050, which flies in the face of global efforts to address plastic pollution and reduce carbon emissions. The fossil fuels lobby are attempting to derail and weaken the treaty negotiations and we are urging high ambition countries such as the UK to stand firm for a strong Treaty that results in a legally binding global target to cut plastic production.”