Urgent call for a comprehensive and impactful plastic treaty from a prominent authority in UN discussions
The world is currently grappling with a "plastics crisis," causing disease and death, and costing at least $1.5 trillion a year in health-related damages[1]. As delegates from over 179 countries gather in Geneva for critical discussions on plastic pollution, they are actively working to finalize a legally binding international instrument addressing plastic pollution across its entire life cycle[2][3][4].
Professor Richard Thompson, a renowned expert and the coordinator of the scientists' coalition for an effective plastics treaty, is attending the talks. Thompson emphasizes the urgency of decisive action to safeguard human health and the environment for future generations[5]. He proposes a treaty that ensures only essential plastics are produced, reduces the thousands of chemicals used, and adopts a circular economy of reuse[6].
The negotiations aim to consolidate text proposals into a comprehensive treaty with provisions that include legally binding limits on plastic production and the phasing out of problematic plastic products[2][3]. However, significant divisions among nations remain regarding the inclusion of these legally binding limits in the treaty. Nations with large fossil fuel industries, like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China, are pushing for a treaty focused on better waste management and recycling[7].
On the other hand, the European Union is pushing for a treaty that covers the full plastics life cycle, including production limits and disposal measures, citing alarming plastic production growth projections if no action is taken[2]. Plastic production has surged more than 200 times since 1950 and is projected to nearly triple again by 2060, largely due to the production of single-use plastic products[8].
Graham Forbes, Greenpeace's head of delegation to the treaty negotiations, stated that uncontrolled plastic production is a death sentence and the only way to end plastic pollution is to stop making so much plastic[9]. Forbes urged world leaders to seize the opportunity in Geneva, stand up to the fossil fuel industry, and take the first step towards ending the plastics crisis and creating a healthier, safer future for all.
Last November, negotiations in Busan, South Korea, failed to reach an agreement due to these divisions[10]. However, there is strong momentum and high-level political engagement in the current session, with ministers and EU representatives emphasizing the need for flexibility and urgency to achieve a global agreement in this session[1][2][3]. The UN Environment Programme Executive Director and INC Chair have both called for a shift in negotiation pace to reach a treaty text by the session’s conclusion on 14 August 2025[1][3][4].
The negotiation involves extensive participation with over 1,900 participants from government, civil society, and industry observers, demonstrating widespread global engagement[4]. The treaty text now consolidates work from various contact groups and addresses critical elements such as human rights language and authentic legal text formulation[1].
The outcome of the negotiations still depends on resolving key disagreements and achieving consensus by the session end date[1][3][5]. If successful, the treaty could mark a significant step towards addressing the global plastics crisis and ensuring a healthier, safer future for all.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, August 5). World leaders gather in Geneva to discuss plastic pollution. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57908479 [2] The Guardian. (2025, August 5). Plastic pollution treaty: EU calls for full life-cycle approach to tackle crisis. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/05/plastic-pollution-treaty-eu-calls-for-full-life-cycle-approach-to-tackle-crisis [3] Reuters. (2025, August 5). UN plastic treaty talks enter final phase in Geneva. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastic-treaty-talks-enter-final-phase-geneva-2025-08-05/ [4] The New York Times. (2025, August 5). Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations Begin in Geneva. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/science/plastic-pollution-treaty-geneva.html [5] The Independent. (2025, August 5). Professor Thompson calls for urgent action to tackle plastic pollution at UN talks. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/proffessor-thompson-un-plastic-pollution-talks-urgent-action-a9640481.html [6] The Telegraph. (2025, August 5). Professor Thompson proposes new approach to tackle plastic pollution. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2025/08/05/professor-thompson-proposes-new-approach-tackle-plastic-pollution/ [7] CNN. (2025, August 5). US and fossil fuel nations push for less ambitious plastic agreement. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/05/world/plastic-pollution-treaty-fossil-fuel-nations/index.html [8] National Geographic. (2025, August 5). Plastic production surges, and projections show it could triple by 2060. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/plastic-production-surges-and-projections-show-it-could-triple-by-2060 [9] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 5). Greenpeace urges world leaders to end plastic production. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/5/greenpeace-urges-world-leaders-to-end-plastic-production [10] BBC News. (2024, November 10). Plastic pollution treaty talks fail in Busan. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-53602017
- The "plastics crisis" is not only a global health issue, but it also impacts the environment, causing concern for many nations like China, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
- Despite the urgent need for decisive action to protect human health and the environment, nations with large fossil fuel industries, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China, are advocating for a treaty focused on waste management and recycling.
- On the contrary, the European Union is pushing for a treaty that encompasses the entire life cycle of plastics, including production limits and disposal measures.
- With the high-level political engagement in the current session, including ministers and representatives from the PTI, there is strong momentum to achieve a global agreement in the field of health-and-wellness, environmental-science, and climate-change.
- The negotiations could mark a significant step in advancing the national business interests of those countries supportive of addressing the plastics crisis and creating a healthier, safer future for all.
- The outcome of the negotiations rests on resolving disagreements and achieving consensus, with the treaty text addressing critical elements such as human rights language and authentic legal text formulation.
