Final opportunity for discussions on the UN Plastic Treaty
In August 2025, delegates from over 160 countries, including Germany, gather in Geneva for the INC-5.2 conference, with the European Union (EU) representing all member states. The goal? To negotiate a legally binding treaty aimed at reducing plastic pollution worldwide.
The proposed agreement, if successful, will address the full lifecycle of plastics - from design and production to consumption and disposal. It aims to promote plastic circularity and prevent environmental leakage by reshaping plastic production, waste management, and product design.
However, the road to an agreement is fraught with challenges. The most contentious issue is reducing plastic production. Countries from the Global South, supported by environmental groups, push for limits on plastic production to tackle pollution and promote a just transition away from fossil fuels. However, oil-producing nations and industry interests strongly oppose binding production caps, arguing against any restrictions that would affect their economic activities.
Equity and financial responsibility are also key issues. Developing countries face potentially expensive obligations to improve waste management and replace plastics with safer alternatives. Negotiators are debating mechanisms for funding, including proposals for a multilateral fund financed by developed countries and financial differentiation based on historic contributions to plastic pollution.
Phasing out harmful plastic products is another point of contention. The EU advocates for the treaty to include measures targeting single-use plastics and other products that pose significant risks to health and the environment. Addressing microplastics and human health is another pressing concern, with scientific evidence highlighting their presence in human placentas and potential lifelong health impacts.
The treaty also seeks to protect workers affected by changes in the plastic economy, balancing environmental goals with social equity.
The negotiations are complex and politically charged. Vested fossil fuel interests seek to weaken provisions, while environmental and health advocates urge ambitious, enforceable measures. The final treaty, expected to be adopted after the Geneva talks, is seen as a crucial step to stem the projected tripling of plastic waste by 2060 and the associated environmental, health, and economic costs.
If an agreement is reached, a diplomatic conference for signing will take place next year, with ratification in individual countries expected to take several years. Notably, China, the country with the largest plastic production, has already planned national production restrictions.
The US government, under Donald Trump, is currently dismantling regulations, which has not simplified the negotiation situation. However, over 100 countries, including the EU and many African, Asian, and Latin American states, have called for a strong contract with clear requirements, including production limits. These countries represent only 30% of the market share and a quarter of the world's population.
Meanwhile, around 300 companies and financial institutions are advocating for a "robust contract with global rules and uniform commitments." As the talks continue, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a decisive step towards a cleaner, healthier planet.
- With a focus on promoting health and wellness, the European Union advocates for the treaty to include measures targeting single-use plastics and other products that pose significant risks to health and the environment.
- Addressing the interlink between science and environmental challenges, the proposed agreement aims to prevent environmental leakage by reshaping plastic production and managing waste in a circular manner.
- As the negotiations related to climate change progress, the mental health implications of plastic pollution and its associated microplastics become increasingly relevant for discussions, given scientific evidence highlighting their presence in human placentas and potential lifelong health impacts.
