Global Plastics Treaty collapses

Climate campaigners are urging the Scottish Government to do more to tackle plastic pollution at home as global negotiations on a new international agreement failed.  

Last week, 175 governments met in Busan, South Korea to negotiate the UN details of the Global Plastics Treaty to end plastic pollution but the treaty was not finalised as expected. 

A lack of progress and deadlock on key issues, including the need to limit plastic production, phase out harmful chemicals and financial mechanisms to help the poorest adapt, has meant that the talks have closed without an agreement being reached. There has been much criticism of the fossil fuel and plastics industry and those states with major plastics production, who have been accused of blocking, delaying and weakening progress.  

85 countries, including the UK, are part of a high ambition coalition which is jointing calling for a strong treaty. First Minister John Swinney has stated his support for the treaty.  

Meetings will now be set up to continue negotiations next year. 

Kim Pratt from Friends of the Earth Scotland said:  

“A handful of countries and corporations have sabotaged the negotiations for a global plastics treaty, putting their profits before a world without plastic pollution. This international agreement had the potential to make a hugely positive impact, but we can’t let its delay stop progress that can be made now to reduce the harmful impacts of plastic. 

“Scotland has rightly joined with the many countries, civil society organisations and communities calling for action on the plastics crisis. With the failure of the talks, it is now more important than ever that the Scottish Government demonstrates its commitment to ending plastic pollution by embracing and implementing ambitious policies to curb the scourge of plastic pollution in Scotland. 

“The First Minister gave his support for an effective international treaty, but there is plenty of action that he must drive forward in Scotland. The plastics crisis can be tackled by investing in reuse services and getting producers to pay for the clean-up of the plastic products they sell.”