Plastic Pollution Talks on the Brink of Collapse

International negotiations to combat plastic pollution are on the verge of collapse as the oil-producing countries' lobby opposes capping production. According to Reuters, countries supporting an ambitious agreement, including Britain, the EU, Panama, and Kenya, rejected a draft agreement that eliminated key provisions regarding the life cycle of plastics and health impacts.

Sianabh Sudan of WWF stated that reaching an agreement seems unlikely. Studies have shown that plastics break down into microscopic particles now detected in air, water, food, and human organs, with potential impacts on health and food chains.

A study in The Lancet argues that plastic pollution is a serious health risk, costing $1.5 trillion annually. Over 1,000 delegates met in Geneva for the sixth round of talks. At the Busan summit, over 100 countries agreed on the need for production caps, while oil-producing countries want rules targeting only plastic pollution. Saudi Arabia, the USA, Russia, and Iran are key players in the oil lobby.

The OECD warns that plastic production will triple by 2060 without drastic interventions.