Stalemate in Plastic Pollution Measures: Environmental Groups Unite in Opposition, Companies Also Demand Strong Regulations

Introduction——The Unresolved "Color of the Sea"

The Geneva meeting, which was supposed to bet on a "plastic-free future," ended in vain. On August 15, the second half of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the "Global Plastics Pollution Treaty," led by the United Nations, extended its session but still adjourned without reaching a textual agreement. The chair hinted at a resumption, but the date for the next meeting remains undecided. The core issue is clear——can the world decide "how much to produce"?UNEP - UN Environment ProgrammeReuters

What Caused the Stalemate: Three Major Barriers

The negotiations faced three major barriers. First, the production cap on virgin plastics. Europe and small island nations sought to curb the ever-increasing production, but oil and petrochemical-dependent countries, along with the United States, showed reluctance. Second, how universally to mandate the comprehensive regulation of hazardous chemicals, including additives. Third, how to allocate funds and technology so that developing countries can implement the measures.ReutersAP News

The world already produces over 400 million tons of plastic annually, and if current trends continue, it is estimated to increase by about 70% by 2040. Countries are divided on whether to close this "upstream" or focus on improving the efficiency of "downstream" disposal and recovery.AP News

Political Realities: A Hardening U.S., a Constructive China?

This time, the U.S. opposed production caps, reportedly hardening its stance. In contrast, China was evaluated as having shown a constructive tone, considering the entire lifecycle. The negotiations showed chaos, adjourning "in seconds," exposing the limits of the consensus (unanimity) method.Reuters

The current rule requiring "unanimous consent" allows a minority "veto" to halt the entire process——calls to change this structure and shift to voting are growing both inside and outside the table.Climate Home News

The Content of the Text: Why "This is Not a Treaty"

The revised proposal presented at the end of the session effectively deferred global production caps and mandatory regulation of hazardous chemicals, leaving much to national discretion——environmental groups criticized it as such. "This is not a treaty." The comment from WWF's Global Plastics Policy Advisor symbolized the disappointment in the venue.The Associated Presswwf.panda.org

The Business Atmosphere: Not Just "Disliking" Regulation

It may seem surprising, but there is a strong call from the business side of the supply chain for "harmonized regulation" worldwide. The "Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty," organized by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF, requested a strong treaty to transition to a circular economy and reiterated the call for an effective agreement even after the lack of consensus. For businesses, globally consistent rules are easier for investment decisions than disparate regulations by country.businessforplasticstreaty.org

Voices from Civil Society: Prefer "No Agreement" Over a Weak One

Meanwhile, many NGOs hold the position that "it's better to start over than to make a watered-down agreement." The NRDC summarized, "The majority supported global control of quantity and toxicity, but a minority wanted an extremely weak treaty." Break Free From Plastic immediately opposed the chair's proposal with actions outside the venue and shared real-time reactions on social media under "#PlasticsTreaty."NRDCBreak Free From Plastic

Highlights from Social Media

• "Without addressing production volume, just focusing on disposal and recycling won't change the situation" —— a majority opinion from environmental accounts.X (formerly Twitter)

• "Businesses are also calling for regulation. Globally consistent rules promote investment and innovation" —— posts from business coalitions and sustainability experts.businessforplasticstreaty.org

• "Review the agreement method. The world is held hostage by a minority opposition" —— threads criticizing the negotiation process spread.Climate Home News

• "The final operation excluded citizens' voices" —— dissatisfaction with audience restrictions and meeting operations was also notable.AP News

• "There is still a next time. Better to restart for a strong agreement than to rush a weak treaty" —— persistent optimism amid disappointment.Reuters

Nevertheless, Time Moves On: The Next Reality

UNEP has clearly stated that "work continues," and the INC's official page indicates a "resumption at the next meeting." However, the date is still undecided. The longer the international treaty remains absent, the more countries and regions will move forward with their own regulations——EU's reduction of single-use plastics, Asia's enhanced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and companies' shifts to recycled materials. The role of the treaty is to translate these scattered rules into a "global language" and close loopholes.UNEP - UN Environment Programme

Implications for Japan

Japan has experience in resource circulation strategies and packaging recycling, and it can play a leading role in upstream resin control, international harmonization of additives, and standardization of recycled material quality. Especially, exporting systems that connect "upstream (design, alternative materials, refill) × downstream (collection, high-quality recycling)" can be a source of competitiveness as an industrial policy. When the treaty is in turmoil, accumulating "implementation examples" domestically and internationally will become the map for the next negotiations.

Conclusion——"No Agreement" Is Not the End

This breakdown exposed the friction between political realities and industrial structures. But the numbers won't wait. Over 400 million tons annually, +70% by 2040——can humanity outpace the speed of creating "disposables" with the speed of collection and decomposition? What should be brought to the next table is not an ideology but a blueprint. The production ceiling, containment of chemicals, and design of financial circuits——whether these minimum three points can be bundled beyond the noise of geopolitics is the question.AP News

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