atten:Negotiations for establishing the initial global treaty against plastic pollution come to an unsuccessful end following a 10-day United Nations conference
Negotiations for a Plastic Pollution Treaty End Without Agreement
The United Nations' efforts to create a landmark treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution have come to a halt, with countries failing to reach a consensus on stricter, legally binding, and enforceable rules [1][2][3]. The talks, which took place over 11 days at the UN office in Geneva, ended without an agreement, leaving the future of addressing the growing plastic waste problem uncertain.
The key disagreements among the delegates revolved around the strength and scope of enforceable rules, the responsibilities and obligations of countries, and balancing economic impacts with environmental goals [2][4]. Delegates could not agree on how strict and legally binding the measures should be to curb plastic pollution globally, and there was contention over how to fairly allocate duties between developed and developing nations. Economic concerns and geopolitical complexities complicated reaching a consensus on measures that might affect industries relying heavily on plastics.
European Commissioner Jessika Roswall stated that while the draft falls short on their demands, it's a good basis for another negotiating session [1]. Representatives from Norway, Australia, Tuvalu, and Madagascar expressed disappointment at the lack of a treaty, while Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the US opposed cutting plastic production or banning chemical additives in the treaty [1].
The latest draft of the treaty did not include a limit on plastic production but recognized that current levels of production and consumption are unsustainable [1]. The US supported provisions to improve waste collection and management, improve product design, and drive recycling, reuse, and other efforts to cut the plastic dumped into the environment [1]. The objective of the treaty was revamped to state that the accord would be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics [1].
Some countries proposed a change in the process to allow for decisions to be made by a vote if necessary [1]. Negotiations were the last round and were supposed to produce the first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including in the oceans [1]. Every year, the world makes more than 400 million tons of new plastic, and this could grow by about 70% by 2040 without policy changes [1].
Despite the failure to conclude the treaty, all countries expressed a clear desire to continue negotiations at a future date [1][3]. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep regret over the deadlock but emphasized ongoing determination to deliver the treaty needed to tackle plastic pollution [1]. The failure of these talks leaves no clear path for nations to address the mountains of plastic that are filling landfills, clogging oceans, and appearing on beaches and other public places.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, August 27). UN talks on plastic pollution treaty fail to reach agreement. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56178132
[2] The Guardian. (2025, August 27). UN plastic pollution talks collapse as nations fail to agree on treaty. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/27/un-plastic-pollution-talks-collapse-as-nations-fail-to-agree-on-treaty
[3] Reuters. (2025, August 27). UN plastic pollution talks end without agreement, future uncertain. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-plastic-pollution-talks-end-without-agreement-future-uncertain-2025-08-27/
[4] The New York Times. (2025, August 27). UN Plastic Pollution Talks Break Down Over Disagreements on Regulations. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/science/un-plastic-pollution-talks.html
- Negotiations for a Plastic Pollution Treaty, aiming to end plastic pollution, concluded without agreement, leaving the future of addressing the growing plastic waste problem uncertain.
- The talks at the UN office in Geneva ended without an agreement due to disagreements on stricter, legally binding, and enforceable rules that would curb plastic pollution globally.
- The recognition that current levels of plastic production and consumption are unsustainable is included in the latest draft of the treaty, although it did not include a limit on plastic production.
- The failure to conclude the treaty leaves no clear path for nations to address the mountains of plastic that are filling landfills, clogging oceans, and appearing on beaches and other public places.
- Despite the failure to reach an agreement, all countries expressed a clear desire to continue negotiations at a future date, emphasizing their ongoing determination to tackle plastic pollution.
