Oil Lobby: Sabotaging Plastic Treaty Negotiations at the UN

Major oil producers, led by Saudi Arabia, are accused of interfering in UN talks on plastic pollution. A Guardian investigation reveals that the petrochemical industry's influence is undermining efforts for an international agreement.

Bethanie Carney Almroth, a professor of Ecotoxicology, reported verbal attacks and intimidation by plastic industry representatives during UN summits. The industry reportedly sent 220 lobbyists to the fifth plastic pollution summit, exceeding the number of national representatives and scientists.

Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran are allegedly blocking proposals to limit plastic production. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is accused of weakening proposals to impose limits, despite warnings from scientists. Ahead of the sixth round of talks in Geneva, 95 countries are calling for an 'ambitious plastic treaty'.