Why in News?

  • The 5th round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty held in Geneva, Switzerland in August 2025 ended in failure after 11 days of closed-door meetings.
  • No consensus was reached on the revised draft treaty, despite participation from 184 countries.
  • India reiterated its opposition to binding commitments on product phase-outs, aligning with a bloc of oil-producing nations.
  • The failure is seen as a major setback in the global effort to combat plastic pollution.

BACKGROUND: THE GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY

  • In 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) adopted a resolution to negotiate a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution by 2025.
  • Since then, negotiations have taken place in:
    • Uruguay
    • France
    • Kenya
    • Canada
    • Republic of Korea
    • Switzerland (Geneva) – August 2025

AIM OF THE TREATY

  • Address global plastic pollution through:
    • Life-cycle approach (production to disposal)
    • Reduction in plastic production
    • Control of hazardous chemicals
    • Promotion of sustainable alternatives

KEY ISSUES

Issue High Ambition Coalition (HAC) Like-Minded Bloc (incl. India, Kuwait)
Scope of Treaty Entire life-cycle of plastics Focus only on pollution and waste management
Production Cuts Strongly supported Opposed; concerns over development
Chemical Regulations Ban on harmful additives Opposed global phase-outs
Decision-making Open to voting Insist on consensus only
Legally Binding Measures Strong preference Prefer nationally driven, flexible approach

DETAILS OF THE DRAFT TREATY

Chair's First Draft (Aug 13, 2025):

  • Criticized for being vague and inadequate.
  • Excluded:
    • Life-cycle approach
    • Definitions of plastics
    • Production cuts
    • Human health impacts
    • Transparency on chemicals

Revised Draft (Aug 14, 2025):

  • Included:
    • Acknowledgement that “current levels of plastic production and consumption are unsustainable”.
    • Reintroduction of language on chemicals of concern.
    • References to need for global action.
  • Still failed to gain consensus; no action taken.
India’s Position “There should not be a global listing of products or chemicals with phase-out dates at this stage.” – Joint Secretary, MoEFCC

KEY POINTS

  • Opposes global product bans or phase-out mandates.
  • Treaty must respect national circumstances and be implemented nationally.
  • Insists on consensus-based decision-making.
  • Aligned with Like-Minded Group of Developing Countries (LMDCs) and oil-exporting nations such as Kuwait.

GLOBAL POSITIONS

High Ambition Coalition (HAC) – ~100 Countries
  • Includes: EU (27 countries), UK, Norway, France, Canada, Rwanda, Kenya, Mexico, Panama
  • Call for:
    • Legally binding treaty
    • Production caps
    • Control of toxic chemicals
    • Full life-cycle approach
COLLAPSE OF GLOBAL PLASTICS TREATY explained for UPSC

KEY DATA & FACTS

  • UNEA (2022): Initiated plastics treaty process.
  • OECD Projections:
    • By 2040, global plastic production, use and waste could rise by 70% over 2020 levels (Business-as-usual scenario).
  • Microplastic Sources:
    • Over 60% of primary microplastics come from:
      • Synthetic textiles
      • Tyres

IMPLICATIONS OF THE COLLAPSE

Missed Opportunity:

  • Treaty could have been the Montreal Protocol of plastics.
  • Missed chance to:
    • Protect public health
    • Regulate toxic additives
    • Promote circular economy

Scientific Concerns:

  • Harmful chemicals in plastics linked to:
    • Cancer
    • Hormonal disruption
    • Neurotoxicity

COMPARATIVE TREATIES

Treaty Outcome Relevance
Montreal Protocol (1987) Success Phased out ozone-depleting substances; model for plastics
Kyoto Protocol (1997) Mixed Weak ambition; limited participation
Plastics Treaty (2025) Collapsed At risk of repeating Kyoto’s failures

WHAT CAN CONSUMERS DO?

Reduce Plastic Use:

  • Say no to single-use plastics
  • Choose natural fibres
  • Wash clothes less frequently
  • Prefer cycling/walking over cars

Demand Industry Change:

  • Example: Microbeads banned due to consumer pressure
  • Shift in demand can influence manufacturers