Discontent Surfaces Over Proposed UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution
Negotiations for a first-of-its-kind UN treaty aimed at combating plastic pollution are facing intense backlash as critical voices emerge regarding the draft text. Panamanian representative Juan Carlos Monterrey emphatically stated, “We cannot take this text as the basis of negotiations. Our red lines and red lines of the majority of countries represented in this room were not only stomped, they were spat on and they were burned,” reports 24brussels.
The proposed treaty draft, prepared by Ecuadorian diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso, purports to encapsulate a balanced approach, stating it “reflects my vision of a balanced outcome, carefully considering the red lines, sensitivities, aspirations, and goals expressed by different delegations, always aiming to serve the common good while respecting the needs and interests of each State.” However, the dissatisfaction among delegations suggests this vision may not align with the reality felt in the negotiating room.
Critics have voiced concerns over the treaty’s potential stall due to consensus-seeking tactics. Mathilde Crêpy, head of environmental transparency for the Environmental Coalition on Standards NGO, remarked, “Consensus is killing this treaty, with a handful of countries able to block any whispers of ambition before they materialize.”
Participating nations remain hopeful for a consensus-based agreement rather than resorting to a vote. Nevertheless, on Tuesday, French Ecological Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher indicated the French delegation’s readiness to switch to a voting process if progress stalls, underscoring the urgency of actionable outcomes in the face of environmental crises.
As negotiations continue, countries are grappling with the implications of every proposed clause, questioning whether the current draft can effectively address the growing menace of plastic pollution, a critical concern for global health and biodiversity.
