Diplomats failed to reach consensus on the world’s first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution after 10 days of talks in Geneva. The US and oil-producing nations opposed an ambitious deal, while states pushing for strong action expressed disappointment.
The UN Environment Programme had been seeking a breakthrough on the issues of capping production, managing plastic products, and financing to help developing countries implement the treaty. However, a weak deal that failed to place limits on plastics production was rejected by some countries.
Ecuador’s Luis Vayas Valdivieso adjourned the session with plans to resume talks later. French ecology minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher called for urgent action, saying “no tangible results have been obtained” despite genuine efforts by many delegates.
The future of the negotiations is uncertain, with some countries describing the process as broken. Anti-plastics campaigners welcomed the rejection of a weak deal, saying “no treaty is better than a bad treaty.”
Source: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/plastic-pollution-treaty-stalled-geneva-talks-end-without-deal-2025-08-15