Global plastics treaty: final round of negotiations gets underway
Today sees the start of the decisive round of negotiations on a global UN plastics treaty. In Geneva, over 170 countries are discussing how to reduce plastic pollution.
(d.de) – The crucial round of negotiations on a UN plastics treaty begins today in Geneva. Over 170 countries will decide whether to adopt a global treaty to limit plastic pollution. Talks last December in the South Korean city of Busan, which were supposed to constitute the final round of negotiations, broke down without reaching any agreement. Work on the treaty has been underway since 2022.
State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth is attending the negotiations on behalf of Germany. He has expressed optimism: “Even in difficult times we can succeed if we actually listen to one another properly and manage to reconcile our different interests.”
The topics being discussed include how to gradually phase out particularly problematic plastic products and the hazardous chemicals they contain. Standards for a circular economy will also be negotiated, along with aspects related to funding. The most contentious issue remains whether and to what extent plastic production should be reduced, however.