UN Plastics Treaty: Will the negotiations in Geneva finally achieve a breakthrough?

From 5 to 14 August, representatives from over 170 countries as well as from science, civil society and industry are meeting in Switzerland continuing the negotiations for a legally binding agreement to tackle the global plastic pollution. Dr Melanie Bergmann from the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), has been involved in the negotiations since the beginning as part of the German delegation and the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty: "Ideally, we will achieve in Geneva that the global community, or at least large parts of it, commit to a strong agreement that is based on scientific facts and recognizes how harmful plastic are to humans and nature."

Over 460 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide every year. The production alone generates more greenhouse gases than the entire aviation sector. Many products are designed in a way that makes it difficult or even impossible to recycle or reuse them. The amount of plastic waste is therefore expected to triple by 2060 if we continue to produce this much plastic. A recent study shows that there are way more plastic particles in the sea than previously assumed. According to the study, there are 27 million tons of tiny plastic particles in the upper water layer of the North Atlantic alone. Plastics can now be found in even the most remote parts of our planet, and researchers are also finding plastic everywhere in our bodies. Studies show that we have already exceeded the planetary boundaries for new substances. As part of the triple planetary crisis, plastics are therefore contributing to global warming and the biodiversity crisis.

Since 2022, delegates from UN member states and representatives from science, civil society and industry have been negotiating an agreement to curb plastic pollution. Dr Melanie Bergmann from the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), has been involved in the negotiations since the beginning as part of the German delegation and the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty: „Scientific calculations show that effective measures must start at the production level. We should limit production to unavoidable areas of application, reduce chemical diversity right from the design and gradually eliminate substances of concern.“

Although no final agreement was reached in the last round of negotiations in South Korea, more than 100 countries were much more united and clearer on red lines than before regarding  production limits and the regulation of chemicals, for example. This could be a turning point. In Geneva, the parties will now try to reach consensus on a final text with measures for the agreement. For the AWI marine biologist, this means: „The delegations must use diplomacy to bring their positions closer together, despite geopolitical tensions and differing interests in order to create a basis for successful cooperation.“ Whether decisions are made by majority or unanimous vote and how conflicts of interest can be avoided will remain crucial points of the negotiations. „Ideally, we will achieve in Geneva that the global community, or at least large parts of it, commit to a strong agreement that is based on scientific facts and recognizes how harmful plastic are to humans and nature.“ An agreement with global regulations would simplify the production of plastic in a globalized economy and create a level playing field for all countries. One thing is certain: The production of plastic would have to be reduced by at least 12 to 17 per cent per year starting from 2024 in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production of plastics so that they are in line with the 1.5 to 2 degree limit set out in the Paris Agreement.

Further assessments by Melanie Bergmann and background information on the negotiations on a UN plastics agreement can be found on our website https://www.awi.de/im-fokus/muell-im-meer/un-plastics-treaty.html. 

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