Geneva (EFE).- On the eve of pivotal negotiations, Greenpeace and hundreds of activists rallied outside the UN headquarters in Geneva on Monday, calling for a legally binding global treaty to drastically cut plastic production, which they say endangers health, biodiversity, and the planet.
Dressed in orange and red shirts and chanting slogans like “Cut plastic production,” demonstrators gathered to urge delegates from over 170 countries and 600 organizations to commit to bold reductions during the upcoming talks from Aug. 5 to 14 at the UN’s Palais des Nations in Geneva.
“We are demanding at least a 75% reduction in plastic production by 2040,” Greenpeace Geneva Director Graham Forbes told EFE.
He emphasized the need to eliminate single-use plastics and toxic chemicals in the plastic manufacturing process.
“Plastic pollution is fueling climate change, biodiversity loss, and is contaminating every corner of the Earth, including our bodies, lungs, brains, and even embryos,” Forbes warned.
The talks, officially part two of the fifth round of negotiations, follow a series of slow-moving sessions in cities such as Busan, Ottawa, Nairobi, and Paris from 2022.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has mandated the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to draft a legally binding instrument to curb plastic pollution.
Divided negotiators: “ambitious vs “like-minded”
At the heart of the debate are two opposing blocs.
The “ambitious” group, led by countries such as France, Norway, Rwanda, Chile, and Peru, advocates for strong curbs on primary polymer production, phased elimination of harmful chemicals, and promotion of a circular economy based on reuse and recycling.
Peru has even proposed moving forward with a treaty for plastic-consuming countries only, should global consensus stall.
Opposing them are the “like-minded” nations, including major oil producers such as the United States, Russia, the Gulf states, China, and India.
These countries argue that the focus should shift from production limits to improved waste management, emphasizing plastics’ economic advantages across industries.
Negotiators remain divided over key draft sections, particularly Article 6, which proposes production, and Article 3, listing banned chemical substances.
Currently, the draft includes common single-use items like plastic bags, straws, utensils, toys, and some cosmetic packaging.
Another unresolved issue is funding, who will pay for phasing out harmful plastics, ensuring compliance, and compensating nations economically affected by the treaty.
Scientists warn of health crisis linked to plastics
Scientific institutions added urgency to the discussions on Monday with a joint article in The Lancet, highlighting the severe public health costs of plastic pollution, estimated at over 1.5 trillion dollars annually.
The article cited research showing microplastics in human lungs, kidneys, brains, blood, and even semen.
“While we still need more research on the exact health impacts, the evidence so far is alarming and justifies immediate action,” the authors said.
Plastic production is on track to nearly triple by 2060 if current consumption trends continue, according to OECD projections.
Already, over 430 million tons of plastic are produced each year, with more than two-thirds ending up in landfills or polluting oceans, rivers, and ecosystems.
“The clock is ticking,” Forbes of Greenpeace concluded. “This may be our last real chance to create a future free of plastic pollution.” EFE
abc-seo/mcd
