Up next
Author
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
Talks to strike a landmark global treaty on plastic pollution fell apart on Friday, leaving many frustrated and some calling it a “missed opportunity”.
Negotiators from 185 nations met in Geneva last week to try and draft the world’s first legally-binding treaty to deal with the growing global issue of plastic pollution.
Despite working beyond Thursday’s deadline and through the night, the talks were ultimately futile and nations could not reach a consensus.

A large bloc of nations including the European Union, Britain and many African and Latin American countries called for curbing plastic production and phasing out toxic chemicals used in plastics.

However, a smaller group of oil-producing states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Russia argued instead for waste management.
These countries railed against the negotiations being based on the entire life-cycle of plastic: from the petroleum-derived substance through to waste.

While around 100 nations sought caps on plastic production, a number of countries including the United States stood against them and argued caps were unnecessary and a threat to their economies and industries.

A large group of people in a room sitting and looking at a stage

While a large number of nations argued for caps on plastic production others, including the US, stood against them. Source: AAP / Martial Trezzini/EPA

‘Missed a historic opportunity’

Representatives of countries voiced anger and despair as the talks unravelled, but said they wanted future negotiations — despite six rounds of talks over three years now having failed to find agreement.
“We have missed a historic opportunity but we have to keep going and act urgently,” said Cuba.
Colombia added: “The negotiations were consistently blocked by a small number of states who simply don’t want an agreement.”
Tuvalu, speaking for 14 Pacific small island developing states, said: “For our islands this means that without global cooperation and state action, millions of tonnes of plastic waste will continue to be dumped in our oceans, affecting our ecosystem, food security, livelihood and culture.”

France’s ecological transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said she was “disappointed” and “angry” and blamed a handful of countries “guided by short-term financial interests” for blocking an ambitious treaty.

“Oil-producing countries and their allies have chosen to look the other way,” she said.
Graham Forbes, the head of Greenpeace’s delegation to the talks called the collapse of negotiations a “wake up call for the world”.
“The vast majority of governments want a strong agreement, yet a handful of bad actors were allowed to use process to drive such ambition into the ground. We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. The time for hesitation is over,” he said.
Environmental NGOs also warned that without radically changing the process to better reflect the majority view, future talks will hit the same dead end.
David Azoulay from the Center for International Environmental Law’s David Azoulay said the talks had been an “abject failure” because some countries were out to “block any attempt at advancing a viable treaty”.

The World Wide Fund for Nature said the talks exposed how consensus decision-making “had now “outplayed its role in international environmental negotiations”.

What happens now?

Oil-producing nations argued that recycling, reuse and product design were sufficient to address the problem of global plastic pollution without resorting to production cuts.
However, experts say these are not substantial answers to the issue.
Ingar Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), which hosted the talks, has said the world “will not recycle our way out of the plastic pollution crisis”.
More than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, half of which is for single-use items.

While 15 per cent of plastic waste is collected for recycling, only nine per cent is actually recycled.

The future of the UNEP negotiations is now uncertain and while some countries have committed to resuming negotiations, others expressed that they have lost faith after repeated attempts.
Andersen also pledged to continue work. “We did not get where we want but people want a deal,” she said.
On current trends, annual production of fossil-fuel-based plastics will nearly triple by 2060 to 1.2 billion tonnes, while waste will exceed one billion tonnes, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
You May Also Like
Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a woman found at a popular beach south-west of Melbourne.

Tragic Discovery: Homicide Detectives Investigate Mysterious Death at Famous Beach

Authorities are delving into the suspicious death of a woman, whose body…
Apple Watch can now detect major stroke, heart attack factor

Apple Watch Now Capable of Identifying Key Indicators for Stroke and Heart Attack Risks

Apple has received Australian regulatory approval for yet another important health feature…

French Parliament Moves to Restrict Social Media Access for Teens Under 15

French legislators have approved a groundbreaking bill intending to restrict social media…

Urgent iPhone Update Alert: Apple Releases Critical Security Patch – Check Your Device Now!

Apple is urging Australians using older models of iPhones and Apple Watches…
French former senator Joel Guerriau arrives at the courtroom, in Paris, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

Ex-French Senator Admits to Unintentionally Spiking Colleague’s Drink with MDMA

A former French senator has been found guilty in a high-profile drug-facilitated…

Partial Relief from Heat as Some Regions Face Continued Sweltering Conditions

Inland regions of southeastern Australia are bracing for the continuation of heatwave…
An Array of Australian Money

Overlooked HECS Detail Could Be Holding Up Your Refund

The federal government’s 20 per cent HECS reduction scheme has resulted in…

Donald Trump Commits to Reducing Tensions in Minnesota Amidst Controversy Involving Ilhan Omar in Minneapolis

In a bid to ease tensions in Minneapolis on Wednesday, a troubling…
Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce, speaks on the Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025, in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday 1 September 2025.

David Littleproud’s Leadership on the Line: Coalition Division Sparks Leadership Challenge

This morning, MP Colin Boyce declared his intention to contest Littleproud’s leadership,…
Sale sign in the window of a clothing shop.

Aussie Tensions Rise: Controversial ‘Locked and Loaded’ Statement Sparks National Concern

Millions of homeowners are firmly at risk of being hit by an…
Botox

TGA Alerts Public to Potential Dangers of Counterfeit Botox Products

Australians are once again being cautioned about the circulation of fake Botox…

Heatwave Alert: Common Medications That Pose Increased Risks in High Temperatures

With rising temperatures sweeping across Australia, there’s an increased risk of heat-related…