Plastic treaty talks collapse over production limits and chemical controls

Negotiations on the world’s first global treaty to curb plastic pollution have hit a dead end, with nearly 100 countries rejecting a draft they say fails to tackle production or toxic chemicals.

Karen McVeigh and Emma Bryce report for The Guardian.

In short:

• Countries pushing for strong action, including the European Union, UK, and Colombia, say the draft treaty ignores plastic production caps and the risks of harmful chemicals.
• Oil- and plastic-producing nations, backed by industry interests, want the treaty to focus only on recycling and waste management, avoiding limits on production.
• Delegates warn that without binding measures on production, chemicals, and financing, the treaty risks being a “step backward” in global efforts to reduce plastic pollution.

Key quote:

“It certainly seems like it was very biased toward the like-minded countries [Saudi, Russia, Iran etc]. There’s problems across the board. There’s no binding measures on anything. There’s no obligation to contribute resources to the financial mechanism. There’s no measures on production or chemicals. This text is just inadequate.”

— Dennis Clare, negotiator for Micronesia

Why this matters:

The world’s first attempt at a global plastic pact has hit the skids, and it’s exposing just how deep industry influence runs. Without binding measures, experts warn, this treaty could be less a breakthrough and more a global shrug, leaving ecosystems and public health to bear the cost.

Read more:

• U.S. pressures countries to drop global plastics cap at treaty talks
• A stalled global plastic treaty threatens our future fertility
• Environmental justice advocates criticize lack of inclusion in plastic treaty negotiations
• Petrochemical plants send millions of pounds of pollutants into waterways each year: Report