Global Plastics Treaty Collapse: “No Treaty Is Better than a Weak Treaty”

GENEVA – Negotiators from around the world did not reach agreement on a global treaty to end plastic pollution. The majority of governments sought to reduce the quantity and toxicity of plastic production through globally applicable control measures. A minority of governments, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, preferred an extremely weak treaty relying solely upon national measures undertaken at the discretion of each country. These significantly divergent approaches could not be resolved.

Following is reaction from Renée Sharp, director of plastic and petrochemical advocacy at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) who was present at the negotiations:

“No treaty is better than a weak treaty that creates an illusion of progress and could discourage stronger action.”

“Many countries deserve credit for resisting the pressure to agree to a treaty that would not protect our health, environment, or communities from plastic pollution. Now it is up to the majority of countries wanting global action to find a way forward toward a strong treaty in future negotiations.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).