During recent United Nations plastics treaty discussions in Bangkok, over 70 developing nations supported comprehensive measures against plastic pollution. This aligns with a significant segment of global plastics consumers advocating for stronger pollution controls, noted Giulia Carlini, a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law.
Despite this support, a coalition led by fossil-fuel producers, which opposes limits on plastic production, remains a formidable obstacle. This group previously derailed treaty progress, leveraging the consensus model that allows single-country vetoes.
Environmental groups view the economic disruptions from the conflict in Iran as a catalyst for reducing plastic reliance. U.S. and Israeli military strikes in February caused market shocks, disrupting oil-dependent supply chains and raising prices on goods reliant on petrochemicals, such as gas and clothing.
The war exposed the fragility of supply chains reliant on volatile oil markets, explained Jacob Kean-Hammerson of Greenpeace USA. The conflict precipitated a “naphtha crisis,” impacting basic goods and highlighting economic vulnerabilities.
The Strait of Hormuz, vital for oil transport and plastic production, saw significant disruptions, impacting 20% of global oil exports and a substantial share of naphtha and polyethylene flow.
This upheaval underscores a need for treaty measures to reduce fossil fuel reliance, Greenpeace International noted. Public sentiment in major nations, including oil producers, supports a binding agreement limiting plastic production, according to a 2024 survey.
The U.N. highlights a “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, all intersecting with plastic use. Plastics, derived from fossil fuels, emit greenhouse gases throughout their lifecycle, contributing significantly to carbon emissions, reports a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory analysis.
Open burning of plastics in regions with limited waste management poses severe health risks, releasing toxic substances and fine particulates that threaten millions annually. Additionally, plastic pollution harms ecosystems, with thousands of species affected by waste.
Despite initial support for addressing the “full life cycle of plastics,” consensus remains elusive. The Lancet Planetary Health study warns of significant health costs from unchecked plastic production.
The treaty’s progress is hindered by disputes and exclusion of scientific and civil society input, say experts like Martin Wagner from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Without transparency and participation, political decisions may diverge from scientific guidance.
The focus on plastic waste rather than production restrictions limits the treaty’s effectiveness, Wagner warned. Industry groups also oppose production limits, citing economic and supply chain concerns.
Plastic production has surged and is expected to triple by 2060, yet data discrepancies hinder accurate assessments. Greenpeace calls for a 75% reduction in production by 2040, stressing the need for global data access to set precise reduction targets.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org