Meanwhile, in Geneva, over 80 government ministers from all over the world were meeting for another high-stakes, 10-day negotiation. Their mission? To create a legally binding treaty that will address the ever-increasing threat of plastics pollution. As global plastic production continues to rise, experts warn that urgent action is necessary to address the environmental impact of this growing industry.
Frankie Orona is the executive director of the Texas-based Society of Native Nations. He has been an invaluable, constant presence at every single negotiating table. He emphasized the importance of raising voices from communities most impacted by plastic pollution. He proclaimed, “We need to be here to let the real people who are suffering from the plastics crisis be seen.”
These discussions come on the heels of an urgent warning from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). At the same time, it underscored that plastic pollution is “truly out of control.” UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen made clear just how dire the situation has become. She announced, “We can’t stop until we resolve this issue.” Everybody wants it. I’ve never met anyone who supports plastic pollution.
The Need for Comprehensive Action
These negotiations are already a crucial step in combating the root cause of plastic pollution. They want to innovate with it, rather than just find ways to bury it. As stakeholder Debbra Cisneros shared during the discussions, equity means addressing pollution at the source. She added, “If we retreat from that ambition today, we are in danger of passing a politically palatable but environmentally useless agreement.”
Going by the plans of many countries, it seems that they do not support putting restrictions on plastic production. Countries such as India, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait have been deeply opposed to restrictions. They contend that building an initial agreement is critical to shaping a strong treaty. Saudi Arabia is already the world’s largest exporter of polyethylene, a problematic form of plastic. This dominance raises red flags about their commitment to cutting plastic use.
Beyond bringing this important issue to the negotiating table, big players on the world stage are contributing to the problem of plastic trade. When measured on an export/import basis, China is both the largest exporter and largest importer of plastics, followed closely by the United States and Germany. Such dominance means it is crucial for such nations to be deeply engaged with any future agreements.
Divergent Views on Production Limits
Almost 100 countries have renewed calls for an End to Plastic Pollution Treaty to set production limits and prioritize cleanup and recycling efforts. The United States is clearly against global production caps or the banning of certain plastic products and chemical additives. Graham Forbes, leading the Greenpeace delegation, voiced skepticism about relying solely on recycling to solve the crisis, asserting, “We will never recycle our way out of this problem.”
Bjorn Beeler, the international coordinator of the International Pollutants Elimination Network, agreed. He insisted that a treaty without limits on production would be of little worth. We were all excited by the bold factors he implored for that would truly tackle the underlying infrastructures behind plastic pollution.
Global plastic production is on track to triple by 2040. Fortunately, as described below, this damning grim increase is hardly inevitable—it can be avoided with big, bold policy shifts. Today, the world is producing more than 400 million tons of new plastic annually.
A Collective Responsibility
Further evidence of the urgency of these negotiations lies in endorsements by unusual bedfellows. The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty is making moves. Donaldson said major corporations such as Walmart, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and L’Oréal should support initiatives that start to phase out plastic production while increasing recycling and reuse.
In particular, environmental journalist Jennifer McDermott’s summary of the mood of the room resonated with many who watched these negotiations. She continued, “This is the world’s last chance to do this, and to do it well.” The deal has to find an equilibrium between high environmental effectiveness and high political acceptability. If it doesn’t, it risks missing the opportunity to address one of the greatest environmental threats of our lifetime.
Negotiations are indeed hot and heavy in Geneva. The results will help guide international policies aimed at curbing plastic production and plastic pollution. The world watches closely as nations strive to find common ground in tackling one of the most complex issues facing the planet today.
