Global Plastic Treaty Talks Collapse Amid Deadlock on Production Limits

Negotiations for a landmark global treaty to combat plastic pollution have concluded in Geneva without a breakthrough, as nations remain deeply divided over whether to cap plastic production. The talks, which were expected to finalize a new draft treaty on Thursday, ultimately adjourned late into the night with no revised text and a clear lack of consensus, leaving many delegates stunned.

The critical point of contention revolves around limiting the exponential growth of plastic production and addressing the chemicals used in plastic products. A draft treaty released earlier in the week notably omitted these crucial elements, focusing instead on less contentious areas such as improving waste management, promoting product redesign for recycling, and reducing problematic plastic items. This approach, which asks nations for voluntary commitments rather than legally binding global rules, was deemed unacceptable by many.

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced strong disapproval on LinkedIn, calling the draft’s ‘lack of ambition’ a missed opportunity to address the urgent environmental and health crisis posed by plastic pollution. Approximately 100 countries, including Norway, a leader in the ‘High Ambition Coalition,’ pushed for a comprehensive approach that includes production limits. Norway’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, emphasized that his country would not accept ‘just any treaty,’ stressing the global need for a robust agreement.

Conversely, powerful oil and gas-producing nations and the plastics industry vehemently oppose production caps, advocating for a treaty focused solely on waste management and reuse. Iraq, for instance, stated it would not support measures that reduce polymer production, citing potential negative economic and societal impacts, though it did support restrictions on certain chemical additives and single-use plastics.

This marks the sixth round of negotiations, following a similar impasse in South Korea last December. The outcome raises questions about the path forward, with some delegates like Fiji’s Sivendra Michael rejecting the idea of further costly meetings without a concrete outcome. However, others, like Ethiopia’s Hiwot Hailu, suggested that another meeting would be preferable to a weak treaty, especially if it addresses crucial aspects like financing and the full lifecycle of plastics. The European Commissioner for the Environment, Jessika Roswall, reiterated the necessity of a treaty covering the full lifecycle of plastics and capable of evolving with scientific advancements, cautioning that ‘a weak, static agreement serves no one.’

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