International discussions on a plastic treaty commence in Geneva, spurred by pressing demands for swift action
Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations Underway, Progress Stalled by Disagreements
The United Nations-backed negotiations to create a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty are currently ongoing, with key sessions held in August 2025 in Geneva. Over 180 countries are participating, aiming to finalize an international agreement to combat plastic pollution, including marine pollution. However, the treaty has not yet been finalized due to persistent disagreements and delays.
The key points of contention between nations in the negotiations are:
- Caps on primary plastic production: Many countries and civil society groups call for legally binding limits on plastic manufacturing to reduce overall plastic production. However, major plastic-producing and fossil fuel industry-influenced nations, including the United States, have resisted enforceable production caps, seeking weaker or voluntary measures.
- Regulation of chemicals and additives in plastics: Nations are debating how to manage toxic chemicals in plastic products. Effective restrictions are demanded by many but are contested by some states relying on petrochemical industries.
- Financial mechanisms to support treaty implementation: Funding sources and financial responsibilities remain unresolved, with disagreements about who should pay for the transition away from plastic pollution and to what extent.
- Balancing reduction of virgin plastic production versus focusing on waste management: There is a divide between countries advocating for comprehensive life-cycle control, including production reduction, and others prioritizing waste management solutions without restricting production.
These disagreements have led to stalled progress and the May-December 2024 talks in Busan, South Korea, and subsequent Geneva sessions extended negotiations beyond initial timelines. Civil society campaigners and many governments emphasize the urgency of ambitious binding rules versus the dilution into weaker voluntary commitments.
Environmental advocates are urging negotiators not to shy away from tough decisions. Graham Forbes of Greenpeace expressed concern over the strong presence of industry lobbyists at the talks. Ilane Seid of the Alliance of Small Island States reiterated that a meaningful treaty must tackle the entire life cycle of plastics, including production.
The final shape of the treaty remains uncertain. Bjorn Beeler of the IPEN network warns that the treaty needs finance, guts, and a soul to be actually effective. A new report published in The Lancet warns that plastic pollution poses a "grave, growing and under-recognised danger" to human health, with estimated global costs exceeding $1.5 trillion annually. Inger Andersen, UNEP executive director, believes a treaty on plastic pollution is within reach.
The talks are taking place against a backdrop of shifting global politics, including scepticism over multilateral agreements from major powers such as the United States, under the Trump administration. The talks aim to forge the first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution and could last over 10 days.
Plastic waste has been found on the highest mountains, in the deepest ocean trenches, and throughout the human body. The talks in Geneva are crucial for the future of our planet, as plastic pollution continues to pose a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is overseeing the talks on plastic pollution, and negotiations are being attended by negotiators from almost 180 countries. The talks in Geneva are a significant step towards a world free from plastic pollution.
- The United States, along with other major plastic-producing countries, has resisted enforceable production caps in the ongoing negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty.
- The environmental science community, represented by organizations like Greenpeace, urges negotiators to make tough decisions to combat plastic pollution effectively.
- The international community, including representatives from almost 180 countries, is debating financial mechanisms to support the implementation of the planned Global Plastics Treaty.
- Effective restrictions on dangerous chemicals in plastic products are demanded by nations, but are contested by those heavily reliant on the petrochemical industries.
- The UNEP-led negotiations in Geneva aim to craft the first legally binding treaty to address plastic pollution, impacting the environment, health, and business sectors worldwide.
- While the final shape of the treaty remains uncertain, significant costs to human health and the economy are associated with plastic pollution, as highlighted in a new report published in The Lancet.
