COLLAPSE OF GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY

COLLAPSE OF GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY

Why in News?

• The 5th round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty held in Geneva, Switzerland in August 2025 ended in failure after 11 days of closed-door meetings.
• No consensus was reached on the revised draft treaty, despite participation from 184 countries.
• India reiterated its opposition to binding commitments on product phase-outs, aligning with a bloc of oil-producing nations.
• The failure is seen as a major setback in the global effort to combat plastic pollution.

BACKGROUND: THE GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY

• In 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) adopted a resolution to negotiate a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution by 2025.
• Since then, negotiations have taken place in:
  • Uruguay
  • France
  • Kenya
  • Canada
  • Republic of Korea
  • Switzerland (Geneva) – August 2025

AIM OF THE TREATY

• Address global plastic pollution through:
  • Life-cycle approach (production to disposal)
  • Reduction in plastic production
  • Control of hazardous chemicals
  • Promotion of sustainable alternatives

KEY ISSUES

DETAILS OF THE DRAFT TREATY

Chair’s First Draft (Aug 13, 2025):

• Criticized for being vague and inadequate.
• Excluded:
  • Life-cycle approach
  • Definitions of plastics
  • Production cuts
  • Human health impacts
  • Transparency on chemicals

Revised Draft (Aug 14, 2025):

• Included:
  • Acknowledgement that “current levels of plastic production and consumption are unsustainable”.
  • Reintroduction of language on chemicals of concern.
  • References to need for global action.
• Still failed to gain consensus; no action taken.

India’s Position

“There should not be a global listing of products or chemicals with phase-out dates at this stage.” – Joint Secretary, MoEFCC

KEY POINTS

• Opposes global product bans or phase-out mandates.
• Treaty must respect national circumstances and be implemented nationally.
• Insists on consensus-based decision-making.
• Aligned with Like-Minded Group of Developing Countries (LMDCs) and oil-exporting nations such as Kuwait.

GLOBAL POSITIONS

High Ambition Coalition (HAC) – ~100 Countries

• Includes: EU (27 countries), UK, Norway, France, Canada, Rwanda, Kenya, Mexico, Panama
• Call for:
  • Legally binding treaty
  • Production caps
  • Control of toxic chemicals
  • Full life-cycle approach

KEY DATA & FACTS

• UNEA (2022): Initiated plastics treaty process.
• OECD Projections:
  • By 2040, global plastic production, use and waste could rise by 70% over 2020 levels (Business-as-usual scenario).
• Microplastic Sources:
  • Over 60% of primary microplastics come from:
    • Synthetic textiles
    • Tyres

IMPLICATIONS OF THE COLLAPSE

Missed Opportunity:

• Treaty could have been the Montreal Protocol of plastics.
• Missed chance to:
  • Protect public health
  • Regulate toxic additives
  • Promote circular economy

Scientific Concerns:

• Harmful chemicals in plastics linked to:
  • Cancer
  • Hormonal disruption
  • Neurotoxicity

COMPARATIVE TREATIES

WHAT CAN CONSUMERS DO?

Reduce Plastic Use:

• Say no to single-use plastics
• Choose natural fibres
• Wash clothes less frequently
• Prefer cycling/walking over cars

Demand Industry Change:

• Example: Microbeads banned due to consumer pressure
• Shift in demand can influence manufacturers

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