Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations
Greenpeace activists protested against oil producers during the Plastics Treaty negotiations at the UN European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The negotiations aimed at finalizing a treaty on plastic pollution but faced opposition due to a draft agreement that does not include limiting plastic production.
Key Points from the Negotiation
- Draft Agreement: The draft agreement was criticized for excluding the limitation on plastic production, favoring a minority block including several Arab states and India.
- Country Positions:
- Kuwait approved the text, with India expressing willingness to discuss improvements.
- Colombia and Panama strongly opposed the draft, emphasizing the need for a new text that addresses ocean pollution and livelihood impacts.
- About 80 member states expressed disapproval of the draft.
- Independent Observers' Concerns:
- Observers criticized the draft for not addressing the full life cycle of plastics and lacking measures to reduce plastic dependency.
- The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) highlighted the draft's failure to address chemicals of concern and its weak approach to waste management.
- The Center for International Environmental Law described the draft as undermining human rights and health, catering to petrostate and industry demands.
Implications and Recommendations
- The draft is seen as a setback for efforts to create a comprehensive plastics treaty that would include production limits.
- Observers and some countries urge member states to reject the current text and push for a more ambitious approach to plastic pollution.
