Negotiations on the Plastic Pollution Treaty Collapse Due to Opposition from Oil-Producing Countries: Dispute Over "Production Regulation" Pushes Agreement Further Away

2025年08月15日 23:16

Framework of the Treaty
In March 2022, at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), a resolution was adopted to develop an "international legally binding framework to end plastic pollution in a sustainable manner," leading to the establishment of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). The treaty targets the entire lifecycle of plastics, from design to production, use, and disposal The Japan Times.
Progress of Negotiations
Since the first INC in Uruguay in November 2022, international meetings have continued in France (INC-2), Kenya (INC-3), Canada (INC-4), and South Korea (INC-5), with the sixth meeting held in Geneva in August 2025 WikipediaThe Wall Street JournalAP News.
Goals and Expectations
The treaty's objectives include "capping plastic production, regulating hazardous chemicals, and mandating reuse and recycling," addressing urgent environmental and health impacts The WeekThe Wall Street Journal.

Structure of the Breakdown
In August 2025, the sixth meeting in Geneva highlighted serious conflicts over the treaty's binding nature and specific content. Particularly, there was intense opposition regarding "capping new plastic production" between the European Union and small island states (High Ambition Coalition) and countries like the United States (under the Trump administration), Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, representing the oil and petrochemical industries, leading to no conclusion AP News+1.
Statements and Views
The South African representative expressed disappointment at the lack of agreement, while the Cuban representative stated, "We missed a historic opportunity, but we must continue to act" ReutersAl Jazeera.
Lack of Progress
Although a draft was presented, it was not adopted, and instead, an informal "non-paper proposal" was offered as a discussion material Al JazeeraAP News.
Reactions from Civil Society and NGOs
The French Environment Minister expressed anger, stating, "Nothing progressed due to a few countries driven by short-term interests." NGOs and experts criticized it as a "hijack by the fossil fuel industry," and there are calls to shift decision-making from unanimity to majority voting The Japan TimesAP NewsFinancial TimesAl JazeeraThe Week.

Drawbacks of Unanimity
The current agreement method is based on unanimity (consensus method), which has a "veto-like function" allowing a few opposing countries to halt the entire process. This has revealed structural issues where treaty formulation can be easily blocked by the interests of a few The WeekAP NewsFinancial Times.
Influence of Industry Lobby
At INC-5 in South Korea, there was a significant presence of industry lobbyists at the negotiation venue, outnumbering scientists and environmental groups, raising concerns about transparency and fairness Grist+4it.wikipedia.org+4pressenza.com+4.

Japan's Position
Japan has not yet expressed a clear official stance, but it may prioritize "thorough lifecycle management" and "elimination of hazardous substances." The actions of the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are closely watched.
Impact on Small Island States
Small island states like Tuvalu and Palau strongly desire the realization of the treaty, as plastic pollution is a pressing issue directly affecting their ecosystems and livelihoods The Japan TimesAl JazeeraAP News.
Impact on the World
If the treaty is established, it could legally bind the reduction of plastic production and mandate recycling, prompting a global shift towards resource circulation. However, the breakdown raises concerns about delaying the reduction of environmental impact and the transition to a sustainable economy.

Continuation of Negotiations and Challenges
UNEP Executive Director Andersen positively assessed the meeting as an important step highlighting ongoing challenges and hinted at the possibility of the next meeting axios.comAP News.
Proposal to Review Voting Methods
Environmental groups and NGOs propose transitioning to "majority voting or modified decision-making methods" to prevent delays caused by a few "bad actors" The Japan TimesAP NewsThe Week.
Strengthening Scientific Support
Expert networks like the "Scientists' Coalition" continue to provide technical support and scientific advice to member countries to ensure negotiations are grounded in reality-based science Wikipedia.
Key Points for the Next Meeting
Discussions are expected to continue at COP meetings (such as Brazil COP) and through informal dialogues. Political will, scientific backing, and public pressure are essential to pave the way for the treaty's realization.

Negotiations on Plastic Pollution Collapse as Oil-Producing Nations Oppose Strict Treaty
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