Efforts to forge a landmark global treaty to combat plastic pollution have once again collapsed, as the latest round of United Nations negotiations failed to break a longstanding deadlock. The sixth session of talks, held over nearly three years, was scheduled to conclude on Thursday but stretched into the early hours of Friday as countries sought to overcome their divisions. Despite extended discussions, no consensus was reached, leaving the process further behind schedule.
The negotiations have consistently been split between two sharply opposed blocs: more than 100 countries, including the United Kingdom and members of the European Union, pushing for limits on plastic production, and major oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia and Russia advocating instead for a focus on recycling and waste management. Speaking on behalf of small island nations, Palau lamented that once again delegates were “returning home with insufficient progress,” adding that it was unjust for vulnerable states to bear the brunt of a crisis they have contributed little to.
Talks to create the treaty began in 2022 in response to growing scientific evidence of the harm caused by plastic pollution. Researchers warn that plastics contain toxic chemicals which can leach into the environment as they fragment into microplastics, now detected in soils, rivers, the air, and even within human organs. Plastic production has soared from two million tonnes in 1950 to nearly 475 million tonnes in 2022 and is projected to climb further unless significant curbs are introduced. Recycling alone, scientists caution, is an inadequate solution, with global recycling rates stuck at around 10% and limited scope for meaningful improvement.
Industry representatives and oil states continue to frame plastics as essential for modern economies, especially as fossil fuel revenues are threatened by the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy. The American plastics industry lobby argued that ending plastic production would have dangerous unintended consequences, insisting the focus should remain on tackling pollution. However, academics and environmental campaigners counter that recycling cannot keep pace with rising production, leaving large volumes of waste in the environment.
While oil states opposed binding production limits, the EU and other nations sought to introduce measures that would standardize plastic design to make recycling easier, such as requiring bottles to be one colour. This proposal has backing from global companies like Nestlé and Unilever, which argue that extended producer responsibility schemes, including small levies on plastic items, could boost recycling revenues significantly.
A revised text presented by chair Luis Vayas of Ecuador made some concessions by referencing steps nations could take on chemical safety and product design. However, it fell short of the UK and EU’s call for explicit caps on plastic production. While the EU delegation described the document as a “good basis” for future talks, oil states dismissed it as flawed, with Saudi Arabia labeling the process “problematic” and Kuwait saying its views were “not reflected.”
Environmental groups condemned the collapse, accusing oil-producing nations of placing profits over the planet’s future. Greenpeace said the failure should serve as a wake-up call that fossil fuel interests are obstructing meaningful progress, even as the majority of governments push for ambitious action.
With the original deadline of December 2023 already missed, the failure of this latest round further delays a final agreement. The chair confirmed that negotiations will continue at a later date, but for now, what was described as a “historic opportunity” remains out of reach.
