Negotiations over anti-plastic pollution accord conclude with no agreement reached globally
The recent Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee's resumed fifth session (INC-5.2), held in Geneva from August 5 to 14, 2025, aimed to finalize a legally binding global treaty to tackle plastic pollution, but failed to agree on enforceable measures to reduce plastic pollution.
The talks were marked by a significant divide between two blocs: a large bloc advocating for bold, comprehensive action and a smaller group of oil-producing states seeking a narrower remit for the treaty.
The High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, supported by around 70 countries including the EU, pushed for a broad, ambitious treaty with strict, enforceable rules to curb plastic production and waste. On the other hand, oil-producing states resisted stronger regulatory measures, reflecting concerns about the economic impact on the oil and petrochemical sectors.
France's Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher expressed disappointment and anger, blaming a handful of countries for blocking an ambitious treaty. Similarly, Graham Forbes, head of Greenpeace's delegation, blamed "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 stated that consensus decision-making "had now outplayed its role in international environmental negotiations". Environmental NGOs warned that without changing the process to better reflect the majority view, future talks would hit the same dead end.
The stalemate was a failure for the environment and international diplomacy. Countries and the secretariat will work to find a date and location for resuming the talks.
Despite the unsuccessful outcome, many countries remain committed to the cause. Colombia stated, "The negotiations were consistently blocked by a small number of states who simply don't want an agreement." Cuba, speaking for many nations, said, "We have missed a historic opportunity but we have to keep going and act urgently."
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen acknowledged the complex challenges but emphasized that all countries want to remain engaged and continue negotiations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed regret over the failure but welcomed the determination of member states to persist in the effort to deliver a treaty.
Sources:
[1] Reuters
[2] The Guardian
[3] BBC News
[4] CNN
[5] Al Jazeera
- The discussions around environmental science, particularly plastic pollution, have taken a turn in the general news as the recent INC-5.2 session failed to reach consensus on enforceable measures.
- The lack of agreement can be attributed to a divide between two groups - a large coalition advocating for extensive action and a smaller group of oil-producing states seeking a narrower treaty remit, reflecting concerns about climate-change consequences on the oil and petrochemical industry.
- Disappointment and frustration were voiced by high-profile figures, such as France's Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher and Graham Forbes of Greenpeace, who blamed a few countries and "fossil fuel interests" for obstructing a bold treaty.
- The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) questioned the continued use of consensus decision-making, arguing that it hinders progress in international environmental negotiations, while environmental NGOs called for changes in the process to better reflect the majority view.
- The business community, along with countries like Colombia and Cuba, is continuing efforts to tackle plastic pollution, acknowledging the missed historic opportunity but vowing to press on with urgency.
- Stakeholders across multiple industries, including politics, finance, energy, and oil-and-gas, will now need to collaborate and find solutions to move forward and address the significant issues of plastic pollution and climate-change.
