Negotiators from over 100 countries have gathered in Geneva for what is hoped to be the final round of talks to establish a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution. The urgency is high, with plastic production expected to triple by 2060, largely driven by single-use plastics.
Key Issues and Divisions:
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Most countries support a treaty that reduces plastic production and phases out harmful single-use plastics and toxic chemicals.
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Fossil-fuel-producing nations like China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia oppose production limits, favoring recycling and product redesign instead.
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The EU and the High Ambition Coalition want the treaty to address the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal.
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Consensus is required for all treaty decisions, though some are pushing for voting mechanisms to avoid deadlock—an idea opposed by countries like India and Iran.
Participants and Stakes:
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More than 3,700 delegates, including governments, industry, scientists, and activists, are attending the 10-day session.
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A recent Lancet study warns plastic pollution is a “grave and growing danger” costing the world $1.5 trillion annually, harming human health and the planet at all lifecycle stages.
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Greenpeace is calling for a 75% cut in plastic production by 2040, warning that recycling alone cannot solve the crisis.
What’s at Risk:
If negotiators settle for politically convenient compromises without addressing production, experts warn the treaty could be environmentally ineffective and fail to halt the worsening crisis.
The world faces a narrow window to adopt meaningful and enforceable solutions. Decisions made in Geneva will help determine whether future generations inherit a cleaner planet—or a worsening plastic crisis.
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