Attempts to finalize a landmark treaty combating plastic pollution descended into chaos on the penultimate day as many countries outright rejected the latest draft text, throwing the talks into disarray. With only 30 hours remaining to reach a deal among 184 countries at the United Nations in Geneva, states criticized the proposed text put forward by talks chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso. The more ambitious countries pointed out the lack of legally-binding action, describing the draft text as the lowest common denominator, turning the treaty into a toothless waste-management agreement. Oil-producing states, on the other hand, felt the text was too extreme, crossing red lines without adequately addressing the treaty’s scope.
The talks initiated to establish an international, legally-binding instrument to tackle plastic pollution began on August 5. Despite five previous rounds over two and a half years failing to secure an agreement, countries still struggle to find common ground on addressing the growing plastic waste crisis affecting the environment and human health. With one day left, Ecuadorian diplomat Vayas presented a new draft, triggering a rapid unraveling of discussions as criticism poured in from all sides.
Panama emphasized the need to halt plastic pollution rather than just reaching an agreement, stating, “This text makes that wound fatal, and we will not accept it.” The EU deemed the text “unacceptable,” lacking clear and actionable measures. Tuvalu, speaking on behalf of 14 Pacific island states, expressed concerns that the draft might not adequately protect their people and ecosystems from plastic pollution’s existential threat. Other countries, including Bangladesh, called the draft a failure for not reflecting the crisis’s urgency or addressing key aspects of the plastic life cycle and toxic components.
A group of oil-producing nations, the Like-Minded Group, demanded a focus on waste management in the treaty. They felt the text exceeded their red lines, emphasizing the need for consensus to create a meaningful treaty. Environmental organizations also criticized the draft, with Greenpeace calling it a gift to the petrochemical industry and a betrayal of humanity. The World Wide Fund for Nature labeled the text a devastating blow to communities affected by plastic pollution, while the Center for International Environmental Law warned that it would prevent meaningful change and harm future generations.
Globally, over 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually, half of which comprises single-use items. Merely 15% of plastic waste gets recycled, with 46% ending up in landfills, 17% incinerated, and 22% becoming litter. The failure to reach an agreement highlights the challenges in combatting plastic pollution on a global scale, signaling the urgent need for comprehensive, actionable measures to address this critical issue.
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