The global plastics treaty negotiations have been a hot topic of discussion as delegates from around the world have come together to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution. Over the course of five sessions since 2022, various alliances have emerged among nations, civil society, and the private sector, each advocating for different priorities and policies.
One of the main coalitions to watch during the sixth negotiating session of the treaty, which began on Tuesday and is scheduled to conclude on August 14 in Geneva, is the High Ambition Coalition. This coalition, consisting of more than 70 countries, is pushing for an ambitious and internationally legally binding agreement that prioritizes reducing plastic production. Countries like Norway, Rwanda, Canada, Peru, Senegal, South Korea, and the U.K. are part of this coalition.
On the other hand, there is a smaller group known as the like-minded group, which includes countries like Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, who are in favor of focusing on increasing plastic recycling rates and cleaning up existing plastic pollution rather than imposing production limits. This group is primarily made up of fossil fuel producers and has been opposed to the more ambitious goals of the High Ambition Coalition.
The negotiations have been challenging, with procedural rules dictating that delegates must make every effort to reach agreement by consensus. However, oil-producing countries have used these rules to stall or water down agreements at each round of negotiations, causing frustration among other delegates.
The issue of plastic pollution is a significant global concern, with annual plastic production reaching staggering levels and projected to triple by 2060. Only 9 percent of plastic is currently recycled, leading to widespread environmental pollution and health concerns. Plastic pollution has permeated almost all of Earth’s landscapes and has even been found in human organs such as the brain, lungs, testicles, and ovaries.
The negotiations for the global plastics treaty are crucial in addressing this urgent issue and finding solutions to reduce plastic production, improve waste management, and protect the environment and public health. The outcomes of the sixth negotiating session will be closely watched by stakeholders from around the world as they determine the future of global efforts to combat plastic pollution. Plastics have become a crucial component in driving sustainable economic growth, according to Iran’s negotiator. The statement highlights the importance of plastics as fundamental materials that play a significant role in supporting economic development and progress.
A group of countries, including Bahrain, China, Cuba, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, have come together to advocate for a “bottom-up” treaty structure. This approach involves voluntary contributions to nonbinding global goals on waste management and prevention. The group aims to maintain its influence by promoting consensus-based decision-making and discouraging votes on critical issues.
On the other hand, the United States has taken a different stance, expressing reluctance to support regulations on plastic production. Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the U.S. delegation opposed measures that would restrict plastic production, emphasizing the importance of country-level discretion.
Various negotiating blocs have emerged during the plastics treaty negotiations, organized by region or development status. For instance, the Arab Group, consisting of 22 members, shares a similar perspective to the like-minded group in opposing legally binding obligations and regulations on plastic production.
The Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC), comprising 33 members, has expressed support for binding measures to eliminate hazardous chemicals and promote sustainable plastic production. While most GRULAC countries align with the High Ambition Coalition, Cuba stands as the only member in the like-minded group.
The European Union, represented as a bloc with 16 of its 27 member states, supports legally binding treaty provisions on production, chemicals, and other issues. The EU has backed a proposal requiring countries to submit national treaty implementation plans updated every four to six years.
The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), representing countries vulnerable to marine plastic pollution, advocates for obligatory measures addressing the full life cycle of plastics. A subset of AOSIS, the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), supports aggressive measures to curb plastic production.
Additionally, the African Group of Nations, comprising 54 members, calls for access to financial and technical resources to manage the massive amounts of plastic waste they receive. Thirteen members of the African Group are part of the High Ambition Coalition.
During the recent talks in Busan, South Korea, numerous countries signed declarations outlining their expectations for the final treaty. One declaration focused on eliminating plastic products and chemicals of concern, emphasizing a clear, legally binding obligation to phase out harmful materials. Another declaration called for the inclusion of legally binding plastic production limits in the treaty.
In conclusion, the negotiations surrounding the global plastics treaty involve diverse perspectives and priorities from various countries and groups. While some advocate for stringent regulations and binding measures, others emphasize the importance of voluntary contributions and country-level discretion in addressing plastic pollution. Finding common ground and reaching consensus on these critical issues will be essential in developing an effective and impactful global plastics treaty. The recent declaration on plastic products and chemicals of concern has drawn support from 85 countries, primarily from the High Ambition Coalition. This coalition is pushing for ambitious measures such as production caps and mandatory phaseouts of hazardous chemicals in the treaty. The signatories to the declaration include a diverse range of countries from Angola to Zimbabwe, highlighting the global consensus on the need to address plastic pollution.
In addition to the signatories, an estimated 151 countries have supported a proposal from the African Group of Nations, GRULAC, and three Pacific Island countries to fund the treaty with a dedicated fund. This fund would require wealthy countries to contribute, ensuring that resources are available to effectively implement the treaty.
Observers from various sectors have also played a significant role in the plastics treaty negotiations. Civil society organizations, including environmental groups, public health nonprofits, and Indigenous peoples’ organizations, have been vocal in supporting the High Ambition Coalition’s efforts. These groups often hold side events during negotiations to advocate for their priorities and raise awareness among negotiators.
Scientists have also been actively engaged in the treaty process, urging negotiators to prioritize human health and incorporate strict restrictions on hazardous plastic chemicals. The Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty has conducted research to support negotiations, including identifying thousands of chemicals used in plastic products.
The private sector is represented by two main groups at the negotiations. The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, endorsed by multinational brands, aims to reduce plastic production through a circular economy approach and enhance recycling infrastructure. Another group, Champions of Change, focuses on setting legally binding targets to reduce plastic production and eliminate single-use plastic products.
The petrochemical industry has also been involved in the negotiations, advocating for a different approach that focuses on waste management rather than reducing plastic production. Their vision for the treaty contrasts with that of environmental groups and the High Ambition Coalition.
Overall, the widespread support for ambitious measures in the plastics treaty negotiations reflects the global recognition of the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and human health. The involvement of diverse stakeholders from different sectors highlights the complexity of the issue and the importance of collaborative efforts to find effective solutions. The push for “plastics circularity” has gained momentum in recent years as a sustainable solution to the global plastic pollution crisis. Instead of focusing solely on reducing plastic usage, advocates for plastics circularity aim to redesign plastic products to be more recyclable and invest in improving plastic collection and recycling infrastructure.
Leading the charge are petrochemical industry groups such as the International Council of Chemical Associations, Plastics Europe, and the American Chemistry Council. These groups have been actively lobbying at international negotiating sessions, often aligning themselves with oil-producing countries’ national delegations. In fact, at the last round of talks in South Korea, over 220 fossil fuel and chemistry lobbyists outnumbered the delegates from various regions, including the European Union, the Pacific Small Island Developing States, and the Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries.
The presence of lobbyists advocating for the interests of the petrochemical industry at these talks has been a point of contention for environmental groups and sustainability advocates. The Center for International Environmental Law recently identified at least 234 fossil fuel and chemical lobbyists at the talks in Geneva, marking a new high in industry representation.
Despite the heavy lobbying efforts, the concept of plastics circularity continues to gain traction as a viable solution to the plastic waste crisis. By rethinking the design of plastic products to make them easier to recycle and investing in infrastructure to support recycling efforts, the industry can move towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to plastic production and consumption.
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