By Stacia Clinton, Senior project lead, Health Care Without Harm, and Donna Mae Ocmeja, Communications manager, Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia.
While the world watched the Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5) end in deadlock, advocates cheered the resolve of the majority of countries who refused to settle for a weak and meaningless Treaty. During the final session in Busan, Republic of Korea, more than 100 nations—a majority of the more than 170 present—declared they would not accept a treaty without binding global commitments to ban and phase-out of harmful plastic products and chemicals of concern. The group’s united stance sent a powerful message: half-measures are not an option against plastic pollution.
"Drawing on our collective experience and collaboration with allies such as WHO, IPEN, and GAIA, we amplified the health sector's vital role in addressing the plastic pollution crisis. The stakes were high, and we worked together to ensure the health voice remained at the forefront of the discussions" - Jaquelina Tapia, Health Care Without Harm’s Technical Program Manager for Latin America.
Sustaining the work of elevating health
Momentum within the health care community grew significantly over the past two years of the INC process. More than 18 million health professionals, represented by 63 health organizations across 88 countries, and more than 1,000 individuals joined our call for a strong, health-centered treaty. This call to action aligned with the position statements of the World Health Organization and the World Medical Association, released just ahead of INC-5 in November 2024. These health voices, alongside strong support from select member states, championed the inclusion of a dedicated Article 19 on Health—despite direct opposition from oil-producing states seeking its removal. This article will serve as a foundation for future deliberations to ensure health protections within any legally binding instrument.
The focus on health has never been more critical as the fossil fuel and chemical industry continues to sideline it from discussions. According to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), 220 industry lobbyists registered at INC-5, with some identified in national delegations.
“Civil society organizations were excluded from critical spaces—we weren’t allowed to observe some of the official negotiations. What we want is transparency in this process, just as we demand transparency in addressing the plastic pollution crisis across the entire lifecycle of plastics. Despite these, we remain optimistic that in the next, and hopefully final, round of negotiations, these concerns will be better addressed” - Akif Görgülü, Chemicals & Plastics Policy Coordinator for Health Care Without Harm Europe.
Aligned perspectives emerged on the final day of INC-5 during a press conference hosted by the High Ambition Coalition, where over 100 countries reaffirmed their commitment to reducing primary plastic ingredient (i.e. polymer) production—a position at odds with the demands from the oil-producing states. The health-centered priorities of Health Care Without Harm remain clear:
- No blanket exemptions for the health sector, but instead special consideration
- A just and equitable treaty that respects human rights, limits the production of plastics, considers their full life cycle, and prioritizes detoxification
- Ensure transparency of information for plastic products and materials
- Addresses unnecessary plastic products, including many single-use plastics.
Civil society’s role in the negotiations
As delegates return from Busan, civil society continues to press country delegations and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for clear steps toward a meaningful treaty.
In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Health Care Without Harm emerged as a leading advocate, calling for a treaty that prioritizes human well-being and recognizes the critical role of the health sector—one of the most influential sectors of our global economy.
“Our delegates from Latin America built strong connections with the country delegations of Brazil and Mexico—two delegations that were particularly vocal in supporting the calls to address the intersection of health and plastic pollution” - Dr. Jimena Ayala, Sustainability Consultant for Health Care Without Harm.
Health Care Without Harm’s international network, with delegates from Southeast Asia, Latin America, the U.S., India, Europe, and Africa, played a key role in the treaty process at INC-5. Our delegation contributed in various capacities, including serving as health experts during UNEP Observer pre-event briefings, taking part in key side events such as the Women’s Coalition discussions, and convening health-focused briefings for country delegates. The team’s efforts were driven by clear goals: inclusion of the health sector in the treaty, amplifying the science linking plastics to human health harms across their entire life cycle, ensuring the health professional voice was heard in the negotiations, and showcasing the health sector as a model of action and innovation in tackling the plastics crisis.
“The Southeast Asia team had the largest regional delegation, which allowed us to maximize our networking and advocacy efforts in Busan. We strengthened ties with our civil society allies and engaged with country delegations, including the Philippine delegation, which notably included a representative from the Department of Health. I also had the privilege to amplify our calls during an intervention at the Observers’ meeting and at a side event organized by the Pacific Environment and Greenpeace Southeast Asia - Dr. Michelle Reyes, Sustainability Officer for Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia.”
Plastics and health photo exhibit at INC-5
Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia organized the exhibit “Plastic and Health: Southeast Asia Unveiled,” which was presented in Busan.
The exhibit aimed to capture and communicate the impacts of plastic pollution on humans, the environment, and the health care industry and drew significant attention to the devastating impacts of plastics, even from the Executive Director of UNEP.
Looking ahead
Health Care Without Harm’s Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) network demonstrates that the health sector is already leading transformative efforts to combat plastic pollution. Even before the treaty negotiations began, the GGHH network—representing over 2,000 health care facilities, health systems, and organizations across 86 countries—has been working to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability in healthcare. From Latin American hospitals piloting plastic reduction programs to Southeast Asian facilities integrating circular economy principles, to North American hospitals adopting innovative waste management systems, and European facilities prioritizing sustainable procurement practices, the network proves that solutions already exist within the sector.
However, the scale of the plastic pollution crisis underscores the need for widespread action across all sectors in an ambitious, legally binding treaty that embeds health in all its provisions and prevents business as usual. The health sector’s dual role—as a key contributor to plastic pollution and as the guardian of public health—makes its inclusion in the treaty both essential and urgent. The momentum from INC-5 has reinforced Health Care Without Harm’s commitment and strengthened alliances for a health-protective treaty. As preparations for INC-5.2 begin, we stand alongside the health care community in advocating for a treaty that prioritizes health across all its articles and ensures no exemptions for the health sector.