The latest round of UN negotiations for a future plastics treaty has concluded in Geneva, Switzerland with failure to reach agreement and no clear path forward.
The sixth round of talks was intended to conclude negotiations on a global plastics treaty, but a small group of countries, whose economies rely heavily on the export of oil and gas, continued to undermine the talks, blocking any form of meaningful progress.
Tearfund has been highlighting the impact of plastic pollution on people living in poverty for many years. Around the world, 2 billion people do not have a safe way to dispose of plastic waste meaning they have little other choice but to dump or burn it. Tearfund has estimated mismanaged waste leads to up to a million deaths a year – that’s one every 30 seconds.
Mari Williams, Senior Policy Associate at Tearfund, said: “While the lack of agreement on a strong and ambitious treaty is hugely disappointing, we are encouraged by the unity and strength shown by a large number of countries in standing firm and not bowing to pressure to agree to a weak and ineffective text.
“These countries must now build on what has been achieved, pursue all avenues, and keep working tirelessly towards the legally binding treaty that that our world so desperately needs – one that includes targets to reduce plastic production and increase access to waste collection and recycling services, and which commits to ensuring a just transition for waste pickers.
“This opportunity has been delayed once again, denying justice to so many.”
Tearfund has also been working alongside the International Alliance of Waste Pickers throughout the treaty process, highlighting the importance of the role they play in reducing plastic pollution and ensuring their voice was heard at the negotiating table.
“Waste pickers are on the frontline of the plastic pollution crisis, collecting 60 per cent of the plastic that is recycled globally. Yet they often receive a very low income, work in dangerous conditions, and don’t have a voice in policy-making processes that impact them.
“They have been calling for a strong treaty with a mandatory provision for a just transition for waste pickers. They too have been denied justice by a failure once again to reach agreement. While negotiations face further delays, the plastic pollution crisis continues to deepen.
“As delegates leave Geneva, they must leave with commitment and courage to press forward towards the goal of a strong and ambitious treaty. Too much is at stake,” Mari Williams added.
For more information log onto https://www.tearfund.org/campaigns/tackling-the-plastics-crisis
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Notes to editors
Tearfund statistics on plastic pollution:
- Plastic pollution is putting more than 200 million of the world’s poorest people at risk of more severe and frequent flooding – a number equivalent to the combined populations of UK, France and Germany (2023 report by Tearfund and Resource Futures).
- Every minute, enough plastic waste to cover a football pitch is openly dumped or burnt in Sub Saharan Africa, according to analysis by Tearfund (analysis conducted by Tearfund in 2023 of most recent OECD figures).
- Between 400,000 and 1 million people die each year in developing countries because of diseases related to plastic and other mismanaged waste. That’s up to one person every 30 seconds (Tearfund’s 2019 report No time to waste).
For further information please contact: Melissa Barnston on 07929 335 146 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries: 07929 339813 or [email protected]
Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty is possible. Tearfund is also a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org
