Agreement Reached to Develop a Draft Treaty to Curb Global Plastic Pollution

Representatives from across the globe have come to a consensus on the creation of a draft treaty aimed at mitigating plastic pollution. Although only a preliminary step, this development is crucial for managing this significant and enduring form of human waste. The result of a five-day United Nations discussion in Paris was cautiously received by environmentalists, who voiced worries about potential dilution of the treaty by the petroleum sector and some governments, as the majority of plastic is derived from fossil fuels.

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for Plastics agreed last Friday to formulate a preliminary draft before reconvening in Kenya in November. The committee’s objective is to create the first-ever international, legally binding treaty addressing plastic pollution both on land and in marine environments.

A group of ‘high-ambition’ governments, spearheaded by Norway and Rwanda, as well as several environmental organizations, is pushing for a complete cessation of plastic pollution by 2040. Their strategy includes substantial reduction in production and restrictions on some chemicals involved in plastic manufacture.

Dr. Tadesse Amera, leader of the International Pollutants Elimination Network’s delegation at the talks, highlighted the urgency of the matter, “Projections suggest that a child born today will see plastic production double by the time they turn 18, but we know that the consequences of increasing plastic production will be disastrous for our health, the planet, and the climate. However, the growing awareness among delegates of the need for global controls fills us with optimism.”

Major petroleum producing nations such as the U.S., China, and Saudi Arabia are prioritizing plastic recycling, advocating for individualized national rules instead of global restrictions. Stew Harris from the American Chemistry Council endorsed the idea of each country adopting a unique approach, emphasizing on circularity or reusing plastics as a sustainable solution for pollution and plastic production.

According to a United Nations Environment Program report, humanity generates over 430 million tons of plastic each year, two-thirds of which quickly becomes waste, polluting the oceans and potentially entering human food chains. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimates that the amount of global plastic waste could nearly triple by 2060, with half of it going to landfill and less than a fifth being recycled.

More than 2,000 participants from close to 200 countries participated in this week’s discussions. The proceedings were initially held back by procedural disputes and access issues for waste pickers and some advocacy groups. However, an agreement was ultimately reached to generate a draft treaty by November, keeping the process on schedule to finalize the treaty by late 2024. This week’s conference was the second in a series of five planned meetings to conclude the negotiations.

Graham Forbes from Greenpeace USA’s global plastics campaign warned of the challenges ahead, “Time is running out and it is clear from this week’s negotiations that oil-producing countries and the fossil fuel industry will do everything in their power to weaken the treaty and delay the process. Although some substantive discussions have taken place, there is still a tremendous amount of work ahead of us.”

FAQ about Global Plastic Pollution Treaty