Why in the news?

• The Global Plastic Treaty’s Geneva talks held on 5th to 15th of August 2025  failed to bring in a collective agreement.

Global Plastics Treaty 2025

• What is it?:
  • The Global Plastic Treaty aims to address plastic pollution through lifecycle management, recycling, and reducing production, through which it targets the eradication of plastic pollution by 2040.
  • It was initiated under the aegis of the United Nations Environmental Assembly in 2022.
• Venue: Geneva in Switzerland
• Goal of Geneva Talks:
  • Reach consensus on the text of the treaty and identify unresolved issues for preparatory work ahead of a diplomatic conference.
  • A Draft Text Proposal and later a Revised Text Proposal were released by the Chair.
• Outcomes:
  • Adjourned without agreement on a consolidated draft treaty text.
  • Member States, however, reaffirmed commitment to continue negotiations and resume at a future date (not yet announced).
  • Chair’s Reflection: Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso urged optimism, stressing unity and eventual success.
  • UNEP’s Position: Inger Andersen highlighted that plastic pollution remains urgent – permeating soil, groundwater, rivers, oceans, and even human bodies. UNEP pledged continued efforts.
• Need for Global Plastics Treaty:
  • Environmental Impact: Plastics take 20–500 years to decompose, yet less than 10% of waste was recycled by 2023.
    • Menace of plastic pollution in various ecosystems including marine ecosystems and threats due to Microplastic pollution need urgent action
  • Human Health: Microplastics are threatening the Human health including their uptake through food and drinking water.
  • Economic Impact: The economic cost of plastic pollution is too high affecting various economic activities such as tourism and fishery.
    • The cost of recovery and recycling once released to the environment is too high.
  • Sustainable Development: Commitments towards sustainable development goals need the governments to address plastic pollution menace.