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World plastic pollution treaty talks collapse with no deal
World plastic pollution treaty talks collapse with no deal

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Politics
  • Time of India

World plastic pollution treaty talks collapse with no deal

Talks aimed at striking a landmark global treaty on plastic pollution fell apart Friday as countries failed to find consensus on how the world should tackle the ever-growing scourge. Negotiators from 185 nations worked beyond Thursday's deadline and through the night in an ultimately futile search for common ground. A large bloc wants bold action such as curbing plastic production, while a smaller clutch of oil-producing states want to focus more narrowly on waste management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo The stalemate was a resounding failure for the environment and for international diplomacy at a time when its frailties are in the spotlight. 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. Live Events "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." Looking the other way The High Ambition Coalition, which includes the European Union, Britain and Canada, and many African and Latin American countries, wanted to see language on reducing plastic production and the phasing out of toxic chemicals used in plastics. The cluster of mostly oil-producing states calling themselves the Like-Minded Group -- including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, Iran, and Malaysia -- want a much narrower remit. These countries railed against the negotiations being based on the entire life-cycle of plastic: from the petroleum-derived substance right through to waste. "Our views were not reflected... without an agreed scope, this process cannot remain on the right track," said Kuwait. Bahrain said it wanted a treaty that "does not penalise developing countries for exploiting their own resources". France's Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said: "I am disappointed, and I am angry," blaming 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. Red lines fleshed out The talks in Geneva -- called after the collapse of the fifth and supposedly final round of talks in South Korea late last year -- opened on August 5. With countries far apart, Vayas produced two different draft texts on Wednesday and early Friday. The first was immediately shredded by countries, but while the second gained some traction, by sunrise, the game was up. Talks chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso said the session had merely been adjourned rather than ended. He told AFP that countries and the secretariat "will be working to try to find a date and also a place" for resuming the talks. The negotiations were hosted by the UN Environment Programme. UNEP chief Inger Andersen told AFP that the Geneva talks had fleshed out the deeper details of where countries' red lines were. "They've exchanged on these red lines amongst one another -- that's a very important step," she said. Bad actors However, environmental NGOs warned that without radically changing the process to better reflect the majority view, future talks would hit the same dead end -- while plastic garbage would continue choking the environment. 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". "We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result," said Greenpeace's delegation head Graham Forbes, blaming "fossil fuel interests" and "a handful of bad actors" for exploiting the consensus-based process to skewer meaningful action. The World Wide Fund for Nature said the talks exposed how consensus decision-making "had now "outplayed its role in international environmental negotiations". Dumped, burned and discarded More than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, half of which is for single-use items. While 15 percent of plastic waste is collected for recycling, only nine percent is actually recycled. Nearly half, or 46 percent, ends up in landfills, while 17 percent is incinerated and 22 percent is mismanaged and becomes litter. The plastic pollution problem is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found on the highest mountain peaks, in the deepest ocean trench and scattered throughout almost every part of the human body. 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.

Last chance saloon for global plastic pollution treaty
Last chance saloon for global plastic pollution treaty

eNCA

time4 days ago

  • Politics
  • eNCA

Last chance saloon for global plastic pollution treaty

Negotiators trying to secure a global agreement on tackling the scourge of plastic pollution had just hours left to salvage a deal on Thursday after the talks plunged into disarray. Countries wanting bold action to turn the tide on plastic garbage are so far apart from a group of oil-producing nations that the prospects of finding meaningful common ground before Friday -- after three years of talks -- seem low. With just over a day to go, talks chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso produced a draft text on Wednesday based on the few areas of convergence, in an attempt to find common ground. But the draft succeeded only in infuriating virtually all corners, and the text was immediately shredded as one country after another ripped it to bits. AFP | Noel CELIS For the self-styled "ambition coalition" countries, it was an empty document shorn of bold action like curbing production and phasing out toxic ingredients and reduced down to a waste management accord. And for the so-called Like-Minded Group, with Gulf states leading the charge, it crossed too many of their red lines and did not do enough to narrow down the scope of what they might be signing up for. - The bad, the very bad, the ugly - Vayas held talks with regional delegations late Wednesday that ran past midnight. Raking over the fall-out, European Union member states held a coordination meeting early Thursday, as did a group of small island developing states struggling to cope with ocean plastic they did little to produce and have scant capacity to deal with. Latin American and Caribbean nations and the African group of countries were also due to have their own meetings behind closed doors. After that, the two key cross-regional blocs -- the High Ambition Coalition and the Like-Minded Group -- were to have their own meetings before marching back into the plenary session, which brings all the negotiating countries together in the UN Palais des Nations' main assembly hall. Aleksandar Rankovic from The Common Initiative think-tank, said Vayas had effectively removed all the ambitious countries' bargaining chips, meaning they are unlikely to get anything better than what is on the table. AFP | Sylvie HUSSON, Christophe THALABOT "It's very simple: there are only two scenarios: there's bad and very bad -- and a lot of ugliness in between," he told AFP. "The bad scenario is that countries adopt a very bad treaty: something that looks like the text from Wednesday, but potentially worse. "The very bad is that they don't agree on anything, and they either try to reconvene," or the treaty is "kept in limbo for a long time -- so practically abandoned". - 'Repulsive surrender' - After three years and five previous rounds of talks, negotiators from 180-odd countries have been working at the United Nations in Geneva since August 5 to try to conclude a first international accord on dealing with plastic pollution. AFP | JOHAN ORDONEZ The problem is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found on the highest mountain peaks, in the deepest ocean trench and scattered throughout almost every part of the human body. In Wednesday's bombshell plenary, Panama said the draft text was "simply repulsive. It is not ambition: it is surrender", while Kenya said it had been "significantly diluted and lost its very objective". The World Wide Fund for Nature said ambitious countries "must have by now recognised that there is no possible text that will be acceptable to all UN member states". AFP | Elodie LE MAOU "They must then be prepared to vote their text through. There is no other way a meaningful treaty can be agreed," she said.

Last chance for Earth: Negotiators struggle to salvage global plastic treaty
Last chance for Earth: Negotiators struggle to salvage global plastic treaty

New Straits Times

time5 days ago

  • Politics
  • New Straits Times

Last chance for Earth: Negotiators struggle to salvage global plastic treaty

GENEVA: Negotiators trying to secure a global agreement on tackling the scourge of plastic pollution have less than 24 hours to salvage a deal on Thursday after the talks plunged into total disarray. Countries wanting bold action to turn the tide on plastic garbage are so far apart from a group of oil-producing nations that the prospects of finding meaningful common ground before Friday – after three years of talks – seem low. With just over a day to go, the talks chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso produced a draft text based on the few areas of convergence, in an attempt to find common ground. But the draft succeeded only in infuriating virtually all corners and the text was immediately shredded as one country after another ripped it to bits. For the self-styled ambitious countries, it was an empty document shorn of bold action like curbing production and phasing out toxic ingredients and reduced down to a waste management accord. And for the so-called Like-Minded Group, with Gulf states leading the charge, it crossed too many of their red lines and did not do enough to narrow down the scope of what they might be signing up for. Negotiators from 184 countries have been working at the United Nations in Geneva since August 5 to try to conclude a first international accord on dealing with plastic pollution. The problem is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found on the highest mountain peaks, in the deepest ocean trench and scattered throughout almost every part of the human body. A fifth and supposedly final round of talks in South Korea late last year broke up without agreement – meaning the Geneva talks are already stretching the limits. Presenting his draft, Ecuadorian diplomat Vayas said the text was an attempt at capturing the elements that could lay the foundation for a treaty to be concluded Thursday, saying it "builds on those areas where convergence exists." Colombia and Chile were first out of the blocks to brand the draft entirely unacceptable, while Panama said the red lines of the majority of countries were "not only stomped, they were spat on and they were burned." "This is not about closing a treaty at any cost: it is about closing a wound that we're leaving open in our rivers, in our oceans. But the text presented here makes that wound fatal and we will not accept it. This is simply repulsive. It is not ambition: it is surrender." Kenya said the text had been "significantly diluted and lost its very objective", having no "demonstrable value... to end plastic pollution." Afterwards, France's Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told reporters the text needed rebalancing and it was still "possible to write a text of 10 pages that takes into account all the main points." With ministers in Geneva for the final day of negotiations, environmental NGOs following the talks urged them to grasp the moment. The World Wide Fund for Nature said the remaining hours would be "critical in turning this around." "The implications of a watered-down, compromised text on people and nature around the world is immense," and failure on Thursday "means more damage, more harm, more suffering", it said. Greenpeace delegation chief Graham Forbes called on ministers to "uphold the ambition they have promised" and address "the root cause: the relentless expansion of plastic production." The Center for International Environmental Law's delegation chief David Azoulay said the draft was a "mockery", and as for eventually getting to a deal, he said: "It will be very difficult to come back from this."--AFP

Last Chance Saloon For Global Plastic Pollution Treaty
Last Chance Saloon For Global Plastic Pollution Treaty

Int'l Business Times

time5 days ago

  • Politics
  • Int'l Business Times

Last Chance Saloon For Global Plastic Pollution Treaty

Negotiators trying to secure a global agreement on tackling the scourge of plastic pollution have less than 24 hours to salvage a deal on Thursday after the talks plunged into total disarray. Countries wanting bold action to turn the tide on plastic garbage are so far apart from a group of oil-producing nations that the prospects of finding meaningful common ground before Friday -- after three years of talks -- seem low. With just over a day to go, the talks chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso produced a draft text based on the few areas of convergence, in an attempt to find common ground. But the draft succeeded only in infuriating virtually all corners and the text was immediately shredded as one country after another ripped it to bits. For the self-styled ambitious countries, it was an empty document shorn of bold action like curbing production and phasing out toxic ingredients and reduced down to a waste management accord. And for the so-called Like-Minded Group, with Gulf states leading the charge, it crossed too many of their red lines and did not do enough to narrow down the scope of what they might be signing up for. Negotiators from 184 countries have been working at the United Nations in Geneva since August 5 to try to conclude a first international accord on dealing with plastic pollution. The problem is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found on the highest mountain peaks, in the deepest ocean trench and scattered throughout almost every part of the human body. A fifth and supposedly final round of talks in South Korea late last year broke up without agreement -- meaning the Geneva talks are already stretching the limits. Presenting his draft, Ecuadorian diplomat Vayas said the text was an attempt at capturing the elements that could lay the foundation for a treaty to be concluded Thursday, saying it "builds on those areas where convergence exists". Colombia and Chile were first out of the blocks to brand the draft entirely unacceptable, while Panama said the red lines of the majority of countries were "not only stomped, they were spat on and they were burned". "This is not about closing a treaty at any cost: it is about closing a wound that we're leaving open in our rivers, in our oceans. But the text presented here makes that wound fatal and we will not accept it. This is simply repulsive. It is not ambition: it is surrender." Kenya said the text had been "significantly diluted and lost its very objective", having no "demonstrable value... to end plastic pollution". Afterwards, France's Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told reporters the text needed rebalancing and it was still "possible to write a text of 10 pages that takes into account all the main points". With ministers in Geneva for the final day of negotiations, environmental NGOs following the talks urged them to grasp the moment. The World Wide Fund for Nature said the remaining hours would be "critical in turning this around". "The implications of a watered-down, compromised text on people and nature around the world is immense," and failure on Thursday "means more damage, more harm, more suffering", it said. Greenpeace delegation chief Graham Forbes called on ministers to "uphold the ambition they have promised" and address "the root cause: the relentless expansion of plastic production". The Center for International Environmental Law's delegation chief David Azoulay said the draft was a "mockery", and as for eventually getting to a deal, he said: "It will be very difficult to come back from this". Microplastic is ubiquitous, found on the highest mountain peaks and in the deepest ocean trenches AFP A plastic bag floating in the Indian Ocean AFP Five previous rounds over the past two and a half years failed to seal an agreement on dealing with plastic pollution AFP

Plastic pollution treaty talks in disarray
Plastic pollution treaty talks in disarray

Straits Times

time5 days ago

  • Straits Times

Plastic pollution treaty talks in disarray

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The latest draft of a treaty on combating plastic pollution - presented by chairman of the International Negotiating Committee Luis Vayas Valdivieso - was rejected by dozens of countries. GENEVA - Attempts to secure a landmark treaty combating plastic pollution descended into disarray on the penultimate day of talks on Aug 13 as dozens of countries rejected the latest draft text, leaving the talks in limbo. With time running out to seal a deal among the 184 countries gathered at the United Nations in Geneva, several countries slammed a proposed compromise text put forward by talks chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso of Ecuador. A larger bloc of countries seeking more ambitious actions blasted what they consider a dearth of legally binding action, saying the draft text was the lowest common denominator and would reduce the treaty to a toothless waste-management agreement. But oil-producing states said the text went too far for their liking, crossing their red lines too and not doing enough in paring down the scope of the treaty. The talks towards striking a legally binding instrument on tackling plastic pollution opened on Aug 5. Five previous rounds of talks over the past two and a half years failed to seal an agreement, including a supposedly final round in South Korea in 2024. But countries seem no closer on a consensus on what to do about the ever-growing tide of plastic rubbish polluting land, sea and human health. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 dead after fire in Jalan Bukit Merah flat, about 60 evacuated Singapore TB screenings at two pre-schools after staff member diagnosed in July Singapore HSA seeks Kpod investigators to arrest abusers, conduct anti-trafficking ops Opinion The 30s are heavy: Understanding suicide among Singapore's young adults Singapore Lawyer who sent misleading letters to 22 doctors fails in bid to quash $18,000 penalty Business Haidilao to close Clarke Quay outlet on Aug 31; exit follows 3 earlier outlet closures Singapore Jail, caning for recalcitrant drug offender who assaulted 2 cops with stun device Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story With a day left to go, Mr Vayas presented a new draft but the discussions quickly unravelled as the text was savaged from all quarters. 'Without ambition entirely' Panama said the goal was to end plastic pollution, not simply to reach an agreement. 'It is not ambition: it is surrender,' their negotiator said. The European Union said the proposal was 'not acceptable' and lacked 'clear, robust and actionable measures', while Kenya said there were 'no global binding obligations on anything'. Tuvalu, speaking for 14 Pacific island developing states, said the draft risked producing a treaty 'that fails to protect our people, culture and ecosystem from the existential threat of plastic pollution'. Britain called it a text that drives countries 'towards the lowest common denominator', and Norway said 'It's not delivering on our promise... to end plastic pollution.' Bangladesh said the draft 'fundamentally fails' to reflect the 'urgency of the crisis', saying that it did not address the full life cycle of plastic items, nor their toxic chemical ingredients and their health impacts. 'This is, as such, without ambition entirely,' it said. 'Not worth signing' A cluster of mostly oil-producing states calling themselves the Like-Minded Group – including Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran – want the treaty to focus primarily on waste management. Kuwait, speaking for the club, said the text had 'gone beyond our red lines', adding that 'Without consensus, there is no treaty worth signing.' 'This is not about lowering ambition: it's about making ambition possible for all,' it said. Saudi Arabia said there were 'many red lines crossed for the Arab Group' and reiterated calls for the scope of the treaty to be defined 'once and for all'. A cluster of mostly oil-producing states want the treaty to focus primarily on waste management. PHOTO: EPA The United Arab Emirates said the draft 'goes beyond the mandate' for the talks, while Qatar said that without a clear definition of scope, 'we don't understand what obligations we are entering into'. India, while backing Kuwait, saw the draft as 'a good enough starting point ' to go forward on finalising the text. 'Betrayal of humanity' Environmental non-governmental organisations also blasted the draft. The proposed text 'is a gift to the petrochemical industry and a betrayal of humanity', said Greenpeace delegation chief Graham Forbes. The World Wide Fund for Nature called the draft text a 'devastating blow' to people suffering from the impact of plastic pollution. The Centre for International Environmental Law delegation chief David Azoulay said it 'all but ensures that nothing will change' and would 'damn future generations'. 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 9 per cent is actually recycled. Nearly half, or 46 per cent, ends up in landfills, while 17 per cent is incinerated and 22 per cent is mismanaged and becomes litter. AFP

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