Negotiators failed to reach an agreement on a new global treaty to include limits on rocketing production. Climate scientists, government representatives and plastics industry lobbyists attended the discussions at the fourth session of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. The governments of Rwanda and Peru have pushed for a global deal on plastic pollution with a focus on reining in consumption and production, but pushback from countries including India and Saudi Arabia resisted the proposals to curb plastic production. Scientists at the session raised concerns about negative influence and harassment from the plastics industry. Speaking to Climate Change News, ecotoxicology professor Bethanie Carney Almroth highlighted what’s at stake: “Plastics is the fossil fuel and the petro-chemical industry’s plan B. As we shift away from fossil fuels as an energy source, they’re putting their bets on plastics and we’re a threat to them.” Hopes for the treaty now turn to the final session of the Committee, which will be held in Busan in November.
