Once Again, Oil States Thwart Agreement on Plastics
8 days ago
- #Plastic Pollution
- #International Negotiations
- #Environmental Policy
- Diplomats failed to reach an agreement on a global plastics treaty after nine days of talks in Geneva.
- Nearly all countries opposed the updated draft of the U.N. treaty, citing it did not align with the mandate to 'end plastic pollution' by addressing the 'full life cycle' of plastics.
- Oil-producing countries, part of a 'like-minded group,' resisted legally binding obligations and opposed key provisions like controls on new plastic production and phaseouts of hazardous chemicals.
- Delegates rejected two new drafts of the treaty, with many preferring to revert to an earlier draft from Busan as a basis for future discussions.
- Despite the lack of agreement, most countries expressed interest in continuing negotiations, emphasizing the urgent need to address plastic pollution.
- Critics highlighted the inefficiency of consensus-based decision-making, which allowed obstinate countries to block progress without compromise.
- Environmental groups and frontline organizations were disappointed but relieved that no weak treaty was agreed upon, prioritizing a strong future agreement.
- The plastics industry advocated for a treaty that keeps 'plastics in the economy and out of the environment,' opposing production controls and chemical phaseouts.
- Future negotiations are expected to resume next year, with concerns that some countries may attempt to lower the treaty's ambition by focusing solely on waste management rather than the full life cycle of plastics.