Global plastic treaty talks collapse in Geneva
Efforts to forge the world’s first treaty to curb plastic pollution are in crisis after negotiations in Geneva broke down on Wednesday. Diplomats are left scrambling to salvage the process.
A 31-article draft from chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso, intended to bridge deep divides, was rejected by most delegations as unbalanced and ineffective.
Colombia, backed by Chile, Mexico, Panama, Canada, the EU and Pacific island states, criticised the text for pushing responsibility onto national governments and omitting any meaningful framework for international cooperation. Denmark’s environment minister said it failed to match the urgency of the crisis or the promises made in 2022.
Kenya lamented the lack of binding global commitments, while environmental NGOs condemned the absence of restrictions on virgin plastic production. Even oil-producing nations opposed to such curbs objected to what they saw as a vague and unfocused proposal.
China urged negotiators to concentrate on core disagreements in the final hours, but with positions still entrenched, attention now turns to whether the process can be revived.
The treaty talks will continue on Thursday. Belgium’s federal Climate and Environmental Transition minister Jean-Luc Crucke is expected to attend the session. On Wednesday, he stressed the need for a “global, legally binding treaty” covering the full plastics life cycle.
Belgium backs the EU’s call to limit production, promote reuse and recycling, ban problematic products and chemicals, set binding rules on microplastics, and create a robust funding mechanism based on the polluter-pays principle.
© BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER