Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

After a 5:30 a.m. plenary was announced, the chair of the global plastic treaty talks was still waiting for delegages to fill the assembly hall inside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations at 6 a.m.

Energy & Environment

Back to Busan: Global plastic pollution treaty talks end in disarray

5 min read

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The U.N.-hosted talks failed to overcome opposition to reducing plastic production among oil and gas producers.

Midway through the final Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, campaigners says nations are not on track to deliver a treaty that will protect people and nature.

Energy & Environment

U.N. plastic treaty talks face deep divisions as deadline nears

5 min read

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Ecuadoran diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso, who chairs the proceedings, said 'progress made has not been sufficient.'

Swiss artist Bertrand Cazenave's installation of 500 jellyfish outside the Palais des Nations in Geneva is made from recycled materials.

Energy & Environment

Lobbyists outnumber E.U. diplomats at plastic treaty talks, analysis shows

2 min read

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Corporate presence at the INC-5.2 negotiations in Geneva raises concerns about the integrity of the final treaty text.

Vacation homes line the coast of an island resort in Vanuatu.

Human Rights

U.N. top court rules a healthy environment is a human right

4 min read

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The court's advisory opinion stems from a sustained campaign led by Vanuatu and supported by 130 U.N. member nations.

Demonstrators outside the plastic treaty talks in Ottawa

Global Opinions

Science will prevail over profits for a planet of plastic eaters

8 min read

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Some pointed to a recent landmark human rights ruling on climate change as a potential use for a Global Plastics Treaty.

OECD says only 9% of global plastic waste is recycled.

Energy & Environment

Negotiators meet in fourth round over global rules in plastics treaty

3 min read

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The chair of the talks called for optimism despite divisions among plastic-producing nations and those urging restraints.

OIl and gas producers view plastics as a corporate "Plan B."

Global Opinions

Treaty talks' geopolitical theater for a polluted material world

6 min read

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A handful of fossil fuel producers show no interest in a strong, restrictive and legally binding instrument for plastic pollution.

Oil and plastic producing nations want the treaty to focus on recycling instead of production cuts.

Energy & Environment

Treaty to curb plastic pollution stalled as industry pushes back

2 min read

Paid

Oil and plastic producing nations and lobbyists sought more emphasis on recycling instead of production cuts.

Energy & Environment

Talks open on plastics treaty to defuse environmental 'time bomb'

4 min read

Free+

About 69% of all the plastics produced, mainly through fossil fuel burning, are used just once or twice before they are thrown away. About 22% is mismanaged. Just 9% is recycled.

Litter along Singapore's East Coast Park.

Energy & Environment

Plastic contaminating the ocean is added to treaty on hazardous waste

3 min read

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A legally-binding global mechanism for managing plastic waste sends a political signal to markets and consumers.

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