Negotiations for the groundbreaking Global Plastics Convention reached a snag when the latest talk ended without consensus.
Members of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) departed from Geneva today following a 10-day session marked by deep divisions and a failure to complete a draft text of internationally legally binding means.
Despite the set-up, the desire to continue the process is clearly expressed, and the negotiators are expected to meet again on a date that has not yet been announced.
This reopened fifth session, Inc-5.2, was an important gathering, captivating over 2,600 participants, including 1,400 representatives from 183 countries. High-level representatives, ministers and deputy ministers also participated in informal discussions about side jobs.
The main purpose of the session was to agree to the final text of the Global Plastics Convention and to identify open issues for further work prior to the Diplomatic Conference.
However, the talks involving four contact groups working on key areas such as plastic design, production caps and finance did not ultimately bridge the gap between the opposition.
Commenting on the failed negotiations, Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said:
“But one thing is clear. Despite these complexities, every country clearly wants to stay at the table.
“We didn’t land the treaty text we wanted, but at UNEP we will continue our work on plastic pollution – pollution that is in our groundwater, our soil, our rivers, our oceans, and yes, our bodies.”
Large-scale division: production and pollution control
The core disagreements that plagued the negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty from the start remain a fundamental ideological division.
One group of around 100 countries advocates addressing plastic pollution at its sources by implementing caps on plastic production.
The faction argues that a significant reduction in the amount of plastic created is the only way to effectively deal with the crisis.
On the other side of the debate are several major oil producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia. They argue that fossil fuel-derived plastics are an important part of future economic planning, especially as the world moves away from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.
Often supported by plastic producers themselves, the group argues that the solution lies in improving waste collection and recycling infrastructure, rather than suppressing production.
They are pushing the treaty to focus on managing already existing pollution rather than reducing initial output. The fundamental differences in this approach consistently hindered progress and prevented consensus of proposed texts.
Previous trips
The journey to the Global Plastics Convention began with a historic resolution adopted by the United Nations Environment Parliament in March 2022.
The resolution began moving the INC process with the aim of creating legally binding equipment to tackle plastic pollution, including the marine environment.
Over the past few years, the committee has held several sessions at various global locations, including Inc-1 in Punta Del Este (2022), Inc-2 in Paris (2023), Inc-3 in Nairobi, and Inc-4 in Ottawa (2024).
The starting point for my recent Geneva lecture was the chair’s text from a previous session held in the Republic of Korea (INC-5.1).
The Chair later published a draft text proposal and revised text proposal during the session, but despite intensive involvement from all sides, the members were unable to reach consensus.
The deadlock has restrained the future of the treaty, waiting for the scheduling of resumed sessions.
Industry reaction
The plastics industry is urging member countries to use future talks to ensure global consensus and develop policies to address plastic pollution. It states this is a critical moment for establishing a unified approach and for the framework to address this pressing environmental issue.
Commenting on the failed Global Plastics Treaty consultation, Virginia Janssen, managing director of Plastic Europe, said:
Nevertheless, we would like to recognize the tireless work of the Chairman and the negotiation teams of the UN member states. We commend the decisions and political will that will continue to negotiate, build much-needed global consensus, and enable policy frameworks.
Plastic pollution is a global challenge, not regional, and urges all UN member states to resume multilateral efforts as soon as possible.
“We believe that measures are needed to promote sustainable production and consumption and effective waste management for the 2.7 billion people currently living there.
“We want end-of-life plastic to become truly valuable circular ingredients and commodities, rather than scattered, landfilled or incinerated waste.
Why the Plastic Convention is Emergency
Controlling plastic pollution is more than just an environmental preference. It is an important need for the health of our planet and its inhabitants.
Many of the plastic waste, in one piece, penetrates every corner of the globe, from the deepest ocean to the best mountains.
This ubiquitous contamination has devastating consequences. Marine life often mistakes plastic fragments for food, leading to internal injuries, starvation and death.
Microplastics, small pieces of plastic caused by the failure of large items, are found in our food, water, and even breathing air, and the potential long-term health impacts are still being studied.
Furthermore, plastic production is inherently related to the fossil fuel industry, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and worsening climate change.
Legally binding international agreements are essential to creating a unified global framework that goes beyond voluntary commitments.
Such treaties can set enforceable goals to reduce the production of plastics, standardize recycling processes, and ensure accountability throughout the plastic lifecycle.
Without coordinated global efforts, the plastic crisis will continue to escalate, threatening the ecosystem, human health, and the extremely stableness of our environment.
Due to the urgency of the situation, it is absolutely essential that the Global Plastics Convention has been successful.
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