Final opportunity: dialogue regarding the United Nations Plastic Treaty
In the heart of Switzerland, delegations from 179 countries are gathered in Geneva for the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), a critical phase in the ongoing global effort to finalize a comprehensive, legally binding treaty on plastic pollution.
The treaty, aimed at transforming the entire plastic lifecycle—from production and design through consumption to disposal—seeks to significantly reduce plastic pollution worldwide. The negotiations, which started in Uruguay in 2014 and have since been held in various countries, are now entering their final stages.
Key objectives of the treaty include addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, reducing plastic production and consumption, promoting circularity of plastics, creating a legally binding agreement, and tackling microplastics and single-use plastics such as straws and bags.
Many oil-producing countries, like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, and Russia, have been focusing on waste and recycling rather than production limits, hindering the ambitious treaty's progress. On the other hand, China, the world's largest plastic producer, has already planned national production cuts. The EU and many African, Asian, and Latin American states, along with more than 100 countries, have called for a strong contract with clear provisions.
The agreement under negotiation aims to cover the production, design, and disposal of plastic. If successful, it would mark a significant step towards a more sustainable future, as plastic pollution presents significant risks to human health, marine life, and the global economy. Without action, plastic waste is likely to triple by 2060, underlining the urgency of the negotiations.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) chief, Inger Andersen, acknowledged differences between delegations at the start of the negotiations and emphasized the need for a solution. The conference chair, Ecuadorian Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso, stated that the clock is ticking and they are laying the foundation for a global tool to change environmental history.
Around 300 companies and financial institutions in the "Business Coalition for an Ambitious Plastic Treaty" also advocate for a "robust contract with global rules and uniform commitments." Over 160 countries, along with hundreds of environmental organizations and industry lobby groups, will send representatives to Geneva for the negotiations.
The negotiations will last until August 14. If an agreement is reached, there'll be a diplomatic conference next year for signing, and ratification in individual countries could take several years. Despite the challenges, the Geneva conference is a beacon of hope in the global fight against plastic pollution.
- Other nations, such as China, have shown a proactive approach in the plastic pollution fight, with China announcing its plans for national production cuts.
- In the realm of policy and legislation, more than 100 countries, alongside many African, Asian, and Latin American states, have advocated for a strong agreement with clear provisions.
- Acknowledging the impact of plastic pollution on human health, marine life, and the economy, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and 300 companies and financial institutions in the "Business Coalition for an Ambitious Plastic Treaty" are pushing for an environmental-science-based approach in the design and disposal of plastic.
