To mitigate plastic pollution, Resolution 5/14 of the United Nations Environment Assembly established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) tasked with negotiating the Global Plastics Treaty, an ambitious treaty expected to take effect in 2025. This treaty’s success in effectively reducing plastic pollution will depend on the ongoing work of the committee and the existing literature. Herein, I review the literature on the Global Plastics Treaty based on a search of the Web of Science. The data were analyzed, mapped and discussed in depth. The literature indicates an interdisciplinary nature, where Environmental Sciences/Ecology and Government Law are the subject areas with the highest contribution. Plastic pollution is a prominent emerging trend and research topic. Notable gaps include the need for stronger connections among the various directions in the literature and limited collaboration among authors. This work may serve as a basis for other researchers aiming to enhance the literature on the Global Plastics Treaty.

We are experiencing the effects of the triple planetary crisis—climate change, loss of nature, and pollution—aggravated by plastic pollution. Despite widespread global awareness of the adverse effects of plastic pollution, its ongoing increase remains persistent, with an annual increase in plastic consumption and incorrect disposal contributing to this serious problem. In 2022, 175 nations agreed to begin negotiations by the end of 2024 on a binding international agreement to control the life cycle of plastics, including preventing marine pollution. To ensure the efficacy of the Global Plastics Treaty for mitigating plastic pollution, the extensive participation of researchers is imperative. The literature focuses on efforts in line with ongoing negotiations. In this study, a systematic review of the Global Plastics Treaty was conducted. The analyzed literature mainly focuses on the adverse effects of plastic pollution, legislation, governance, and the economy. The resulting comprehensive overview of the subject can support ongoing negotiations and guide future research about the Global Plastics Treaty.