Countries urged to hold the line' in Geneva plastics treaty negotiations

Negotiations for a legally binding plastics treaty continued in Geneva as environmental groups expressed concerns about the potential lack of meaningful measures to combat plastic pollution. Activists warned that frontline communities suffering the effects of the crisis might be compromised in treaty discussions. A rejected draft treaty highlighted divisions among countries, with ambitious nations seeking production curbs and others, including oil producers, advocating for recycling-focused solutions. The closed-door negotiations left civil society anxious about whether their interests would be adequately represented in the final agreement.

With time running out to seal a deal between 184 countries, environmental groups expressed concern that frontline communities, Indigenous people and others suffering the worst impacts of the world's growing plastic crisis were being sold out in an effort to secure a treaty.

The ambitious countries who want curbs on production described it as unacceptable, a lowest common denominator and a toothless waste management instrument, because it did not include production caps nor address the chemicals used in plastic products.

Graham Forbes, Greenpeace's head of delegation, said: The entire day has been behind closed doors. All of civil society is on edge, waiting to see what the next move is going to be.

Talks at the UN offices stalled on Wednesday after a consensus draft treaty, presented by the chair of the event, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, was rejected by 80 countries.

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