Disappointment as global plastic pollution talks sink

UK ENVIRONMENT minister Emma Hardy has said she is “hugely disappointed” that negotiations for the world’s first treaty to combat plastic pollution ended once again in failure.

- REBECCA SPEARE-COLE

Delegates were seeking to complete a legally binding international agreement on Thursday after 10 days ‘of what was supposed to be the final round of UN talks in Geneva, Switzerland.

But the gavel came down in overtime yesterday morning with no deal reached after negotiators struggled to break a deadlock over key issues.

‘The biggest sticking point has been whether the treaty should impose caps on producing new plastic or focus instead on things such as better design, recycling and reuse.

In a statement yesterday, Ms Hardy said: “I’m hugely disappointed that an agreement wasn’t reached, but am extremely proud of the way the UK worked tirelessly until the end to seek an ambitious and effective treaty.

“Plastic pollution is a global crisis that no country can solve alone, and the UK is committed to working with others at home and abroad to protect the environment and pave the way to a circular economy”

‘The UK was part of the “high ambition coalition” that was calling for binding obligations on reducing production and consumption, sustainable product design, environmentally sound management of plastic waste, and cleanup of pollution.

But a smaller number of powerful oil and gas producing nations, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, oppose production limits, which they consider outside the scope of the treaty.