Deadlocked plastics treaty talks ‘at cliff’s edge’

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🗞️ Driving the news: Global negotiations in Geneva aimed at forging a binding plastics treaty have reached a critical deadlock, with diplomats from 184 countries unable to agree on key terms just 36 hours before the scheduled conclusion
• The latest draft text—expected to be released imminently—is predicted to be a watered-down compromise, prompting fears it may fall far short of curbing global plastic pollution

🔭 The context: This week’s talks mark the fourth round of UN-led negotiations to create the world’s first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution “from source to sea” 
• The discussions have stalled largely due to opposition from a group of oil-producing nations—dubbed the “Like-Minded Group”—which reject limits on plastic production
• They are clashing with the “High Ambition Coalition,” including the EU and over 150 supportive countries, that push for robust regulations and bans on harmful plastic products and chemicals

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: A strong treaty could significantly reduce the estimated 430 million tonnes of plastic produced annually, much of which pollutes oceans, harms biodiversity, and impacts human health
• A diluted outcome risks locking in unsustainable production systems and undermining global efforts to align with climate and pollution targets
• It may also delay urgently needed industrial transitions in petrochemical and manufacturing sectors

⏭️ What's next: Negotiators are racing to agree on a framework by the end of the talks
• However, if the upcoming plenary session and draft text do not yield consensus, the timeline for the treaty could slip into 2026
• Ministers face pressure from civil society and environmental groups to resist weak compromises and uphold the treaty’s original environmental objectives
• Key points of contention include production caps, chemical restrictions, and financial support for developing nations

💬 One quote: “Negotiators are at the edge of a cliff,” warned Pamela Miller, co-chair of the International Pollutants Elimination Network

📈 One stat: More than 150 countries support a ban on certain plastics and toxic additives, and 136 favour strengthening the treaty over time, according to WWF

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