With the world’s environmental community collectively holding its breath for a breakthrough, the United Nations’ INC 5.2 meeting ended in bitter disappointment, with no finalised Global Plastics Treaty. Negotiations aimed to create a framework for a climate-neutral plastics industry, but despite draft revisions being produced, talks collapsed (again..!).
A few key quotes stood out …
Zaynab Sadan of WWF summed up the frustration:
“Let’s be clear, this is not a global treaty. This is a collection of national and voluntary measures that will do nothing to address the worsening plastics crisis.”
Eirilk Lindebjerg:
“Futile efforts to get a treaty that everyone is happy with is amounting to nothing. If the last 10 days of negotiations have shown us anything, it’s that efforts to reach a consensus have been exhausted. No treaty will ever be weak enough to satisfy low ambition countries.”
Negotiations have already stretched for over two and a half years, yet a decisive, effective treaty addressing plastic pollution seems further away than ever. Instead of progress, we’re witnessing a worrying stall which raises the critical question – will plastic pollution just continue to rise whilst negotiations drag? Why are we still struggling to gain agreement and commitment?
To break this frustrating deadlock, world nations with high ambitions must step-up, collaborate and lead the way setting an example for the rest to follow. Let’s be clear, passively waiting is not an option. In the absence of global consensus, individual and collective action matters more than ever.
As consumers and businesses, we can all contribute. Rethinking packaging design, and considering environmental impacts throughout the packaging lifecycle, are essential steps.
Every improvement, no matter how small, counts towards reducing the staggering amount of plastic pollution that enters our environment each year. As an industry, we need to keep the momentum going with highlighting the issues of plastic pollution, encouraging engagement and pick up the pace with delivering positive change.
If you need guidance or support with sustainable packaging development, don’t hesitate to reach out. Change starts with us all, and NOW is the time to act.
More information: Tracking the key developments from INC-5.2 | Article | Packaging Europe
