Global plastic treaty talks grapple with trade justice, sustainability

SWEDEN – The United Nations Environment Assembly’s ongoing negotiations for a global plastic treaty, held in Geneva from August 5-14, have reached a critical juncture.

 A new draft text aims to address the escalating plastic pollution crisis, which disproportionately burdens marginalized communities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. 

The discussions focus on creating a legally binding agreement to tackle the full lifecycle of plastics, from production to waste management.

According to a recent analysis, the global trade in plastics and plastic waste has surged, reaching US$1.2 trillion in 2021, with single-use plastics driving significant profits. 

Mageswari Sangaralingam, honorary secretary of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, said, “The treaty must enforce the polluter-pays principle, ensuring that major plastic exporters and manufacturers bear the environmental and health costs of their actions.”

The plastic waste trade, often disguised as recycling, has shifted environmental burdens to developing nations like Indonesia and Malaysia, where imported waste is frequently burned or abandoned, causing severe ecological and health damage. 

Indika Rajapaksha, an environmental specialist from Sri Lanka, highlighted the risks: “Our proximity to major maritime routes makes us vulnerable to incidents like the 2021 X-Press Pearl disaster, which unleashed a massive plastic spill.” 

He urged Sri Lanka’s delegation to advocate for comprehensive lifecycle measures.

Luna Hyein Yu from the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements stated, “Plastic pollution stems from both production and waste management.” 

“Without mandatory caps on primary plastic production, we risk tripling output by 2060, exacerbating toxic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.”

In the Indo-Pacific, countries like Vietnam and Thailand face growing exposure to toxic chemicals as their plastic sectors expand. 

A report by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Parliamentarians for Human Rights underscored the crisis as a “fundamental challenge to human rights and environmental justice,” calling for robust policy responses to protect vulnerable communities.

Sam Cossar from Friends of the Earth International advocated for equitable financing highlighting that the treaty should establish a global implementation fund with grants, not debt, from Global North countries to support the Global South.

Recent updates indicate negotiations faced setbacks, with a revised draft criticized for weakening commitments to production limits and health protections. 

Despite these challenges, over 100 countries continue to push for ambitious measures, including production caps and chemical bans, to ensure a treaty that delivers justice and sustainability.

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