Sun Dec 01 12:26:39 UTC 2024: ## Plastic Industry Lobbyists Swamp UN Talks on Global Plastics Treaty
**Busan, South Korea** – The final round of UN negotiations aimed at creating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution is being heavily influenced by a record number of plastic industry lobbyists, according to a new analysis. The International Environmental Law Center (CIEL) reports that 220 representatives from fossil fuel and chemical companies – significantly more than previous meetings – are attending the talks in Busan. This surpasses the number of representatives from the European Union and its member states (191), making the industry the largest single bloc at the negotiations.
The key sticking point is whether the treaty will include limits on global plastic production. Industry representatives, including major producers, are fiercely opposing any production caps, threatening to derail the negotiations. This significantly outnumbers the representatives from the Science Based Targets Network by a factor of three to one.
The sheer number of industry lobbyists is alarming environmental groups. The CIEL analysis reveals sixteen lobbyists are embedded within national delegations from countries including China, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia. This tactic, according to CIEL’s Delfine Lévi Alvarès, mirrors strategies used in climate negotiations, prioritizing corporate profits over human health and environmental protection.
Over 900 independent scientists have signed a declaration urging negotiators to adopt a strong global plastics treaty that aims to end plastic pollution by 2040. The declaration emphasizes that improved waste management alone is insufficient and production cuts are essential. However, countries with large fossil fuel industries, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran, are pushing back, focusing instead on waste management as the primary solution.
The urgency is underscored by the fact that approximately 460 million tons of plastics are produced annually, a figure projected to triple by 2060 under current growth rates. Greenpeace’s Graham Forbes criticized the industry’s actions, stating, “This analysis exposes a reckless industry willing to sacrifice our planet and poison our children to protect its profits.” He called for member states to prioritize a global treaty that prioritizes human health and a livable planet.
The disparity is further highlighted by a recent report showing that plastic waste doubled between 2000 and 2019, with only 9% being recycled. Even five companies who formed a voluntary alliance to tackle plastic waste produced 1,000 times more new plastic than they removed over five years. Two of these companies, Dow and ExxonMobil, are among the world’s largest plastic producers, and are heavily represented at the Busan talks. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of future efforts to combat plastic pollution.
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