Over 170 states in Geneva to tear an agreement from plastic

More than 170 countries are gathered for ten days in Geneva to try to. Furthermore, tear a “historic” agreement against plastic pollution. Furthermore, At the opening of discussions on Tuesday, Switzerland called to send “a strong signal for multilateralism”.

“We want to put an end to plastic pollution. Nevertheless, We want to protect human health and the environment. However, And we want to do it now,” said the Federal Office of the Environment (OFEV) Katrin Schneeberger.

“The time has largely come to reach an agreement. Moreover, ” added the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Inger Andersen. Furthermore, She also called for the “responsibility” of the States.

In almost 25 years. Consequently, plastic consumption has more than doubled and was in total, according to estimates for 2024, 500 million tonnes, of which almost 400 million finish in waste. Nevertheless, If over 170 states geneva tear the situation is not stabilized, it will still be multiplied by three by 2060, beyond 1.2 billion tonnes. Meanwhile, Just like waste, more than a billion tonnes.

“For the first time. Nevertheless, a legally binding instrument to put an end to the pollution linked to plastic is at hand,” said the president of negotiations, the Ecuadorian ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso. Therefore, “The urgency is clear,” he added while being optimistic about the results of talks.

Oil countries to convince – Over 170 states geneva tear

Faced with a “global problem”, it takes “global solutions”, also estimates Ms. Schneeberger. “Even the most ambitious national policies will not be enough” without common international effort, added the director of the FOV.

However. we will have to convince the few oil countries that blocked the process a few months ago in South Korea to accept an agreement on any “cycle” of plastic, from production to waste management.

For their part. over 170 states geneva tear the refractory, in particular Russia, accuse the most ambitious States, of which Switzerland is part, of wanting to weigh on them the burden of efforts. “It’s complicated, the way is narrow, but it exists,” Ms. Andersen told the press.

According to her. the room for maneuver will depend on how the different parts see what “the whole cycle” of plastic means. Just like sustainable production and consumption. “These two aspects must go hand in hand,” adds the head of the FOV.

In recent months. the ambitious states have been in the direction of other countries to try to tear off an agreement which would be considered historic. Now, no encrypted limits for plastic production will be taxed, a situation that could confuse NGOs. “I would not say that this question is settled,” nuance Ms. Andersen.

Röts attend genève

China. a bigger producer, and the United States, second, want an agreement over 170 states geneva tear even if it has economic consequences. The American attitude, due to the unpredictability of the administration of Donald Trump, could however be volatile.

The objective of the ambitious states is above all to avoid an explosion of these materials rather than wanting to obtain a ban that would be unrealistic. admit several actors. Another divergence to be settled is the financing mechanism to help developing countries apply an agreement is not decided.

But for NGOs, it is necessary to remain firm on the principles established in 2022. Greenpeace Switzerland requires a considerable reduction in plastic, while this substance is found in ecosystems and human beings. “To protect the climate. biodiversity and health of human beings, it would take a reduction of at least three-quarters,” said one of its officials, Joëlle Hérin, in Keystone-Ats.

It is necessary “a clear signal that one no longer wants to continue with an exponential production”. over 170 states geneva tear to fight against pollution linked to this substance, estimates the chief negotiator for Switzerland, the chief of international affairs at the OFEF Felix Wertli. For the last days of discussions. on August 13 and 14, the federal adviser Albert Rösti and several dozen of his counterparts must meet informally.

The Geneva meeting is considered that of the last chance. But Greenpeace Switzerland wishes an extension if the remaining differences were only residual at the end of the ten. days of negotiations. Otherwise, a coalition of several states could also decide to launch its own agreement outside the UN framework. But the scope would then be very affected.