environment
New UN plastic treaty is going backwards, experts say
NGOs say agreement held back by tenuous human health commitments and lobbying from plastic industry
TL;DR
- The latest draft of the UN plastic treaty is considered less ambitious than previous versions, with many sections heavily bracketed, signifying disagreement.
- Key issues such as plastic production, human health impacts, and chemical controls are areas of contention.
- Experts worry the treaty might focus on waste management instead of the reduction of plastic production, the primary source of pollution.
- The treaty's framework for human health protection is described as 'tenuous,' with health mentions being few and often bracketed.
- There is a risk of repeating the inertia seen in climate negotiations due to the requirement for consensus among all nations.
- Lobbying from the fossil fuel and plastic industries is seen as a significant obstacle to a strong treaty.
- Civil society involvement is crucial to maintain accountability and ensure future negotiations uphold ambition.