Plastics punch-up

A global plastics treaty could protect against an increasingly toxic planet.

- BY ANDREA GRAVES

Four years ago, I investigated microplastics for the Listener. It was distressing. Since then, countries have been negotiating a global plastics treaty to end plastic pollution, which could be a multilateral pact similar to the Paris Agreement. Their final session is being held from August 5-14 in Geneva, where representatives from 175 countries are gathering.

They're far outnumbered, though, by plastic industry lobbyists, who some see as a threat to treaty objectives. Also attending are about 50 scientists to provide independent scientific evidence to countries in their deliberations, if asked.