Negotiations for a global plastic pollution treaty, aiming to curb production and address the crisis, stalled behind closed doors in Geneva, leaving civil society groups concerned that frontline communities and Indigenous peoples are being “sold out” for a weak agreement.
The 184-country talks, now on their fifth round, have failed to produce a deal despite five rounds of negotiations over two and a half years. The latest talks were marred by disagreements between countries that want curbs on production and those that prefer recycling and voluntary measures.
Environmental groups, including Greenpeace and the Environmental Investigation Agency, warned that frontline communities and Indigenous peoples are bearing the worst impacts of plastic pollution but may not see meaningful or legally binding measures in a treaty. “We’re nervous, we’re anticipating, and we’re concerned that we’re going to be sold out in an effort to get a treaty at any cost,” said Graham Forbes, Greenpeace’s head of delegation.
The talks’ failure to produce a deal has raised concerns among NGOs about the need for consensus between countries with different views. “We’ve consistently seen a majority of countries aligning around a vision for the type of treaty that we’d be happy with. Yet, because of the way this is being weaponised, we’re constantly bowing to a small but vocal minority who are holding it hostage,” said Christina Dixon.
The negotiations will continue, with some delegates remaining hopeful that a breakthrough can still be reached before time runs out on sealing a deal.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/14/geneva-plastics-treaty-negotiations-un-final-day