World Plastic Pollution Treaty Talks Collapse with No Deal

Talks aimed at striking a landmark global treaty on plastic pollution fell apart Friday as countries failed to find consensus on how the world should tackle the ever-growing scourge. Negotiators from 185 nations worked beyond Thursday’s deadline and through the night in an ultimately futile search for common ground. A large bloc wants bold action such as curbing plastic production, while a smaller clutch of oil-producing states want to focus more narrowly on waste management. The stalemate was a resounding failure for the environment and for international diplomacy at a time when its frailties are in the spotlight. Countries voiced anger and despair as the talks unravelled, but said they wanted future negotiations — despite six rounds of talks over three years now having failed to find agreement. ‘We have missed a historic opportunity but we have to keep going and act urgently,’ said Cuba. Colombia added: ‘The negotiations were consistently blocked by a small number of states who simply don’t want an agreement.’