Energy & Environment

Demonstrators with the Break Free From Plastic global movement demand a strong global plastics treaty in Geneva.

Deadlock on production, chemicals as global plastic treaty talks falter

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The latest draft text omitted any legally-binding production limits and a dedicated section on chemicals of concern.

With just one day left for negotiations, delegates to the plastic treaty talks fiercely debated the new draft of a global plastic pollution treaty that would not limit plastic production.

Energy & Environment

Draft U.N. plastic treaty lacks teeth on production and chemicals

3 min read

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Many nations rejected a draft that avoids setting quantitative caps on production, relying on a less stringent approach.

Human rights experts and scientists say a lack of transparency by the plastics industry prevents people from making informed decisions about their exposure.

Energy & Environment

Study indicates global involuntary exposure to toxic plastic chemicals

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A global network of nonprofit groups advocating for stronger regulation underscored the need for a plastic treaty.

A mosaic of irrigated crops in South Africa.

Energy & Environment

Scientists urge global food system overhaul to avert farmland crisis

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Their plan would ‘bend the curve’ of land degradation by reducing food waste and restoring half of degraded lands.

European Commissioner Jessika Roswall speaks to reporters inside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations alongside Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunick.

Energy & Environment

Global plastics treaty 'drama' on a knife-edge over production caps

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European officials say they will not accept a deal 'at any cost' but maintain the bloc is ready to 'build bridges' to succeed.

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

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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

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

Outside the U.N.'s Palais des Nations in Geneva, "The Thinker’s Burden" was created for the INC 5.2 Global Plastics Pollution Treaty negotiations by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong.

Energy & Environment

Plastic treaty talks open with longshot bid for consensus deal

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The negotiations in Geneva are the sixth round of talks since 175 nations agreed in 2022 to create a legally binding treaty.

Energy & Environment

Geneva's plastic treaty talks at make-or-break moment for ocean health

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The 10-day session at the U.N.'s European headquarters is widely seen as the definitive moment for a global accord.

The 2023–2024 El Niño event amplified already harsh climate impacts.

Energy & Environment

Global droughts intensify threats to food security, trade, social stability

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Experts call it a 'slow-moving global catastrophe' for food, energy, and trade that will require systematic monitoring.

Energy & Environment

Sand and dust storms intensify global health and economic crises

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The World Meteorological Organization revealed these airborne hazards affect 330 million people in 150 countries.

Officials gather for the U.N.-backed ocean summit hosted in Nice, France.

Energy & Environment

French Riviera's ocean summit aims to prevent 'Wild West' lawlessness

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The summit created momentum for the adoption of the first legally binding rules to better protect international waters.

A sculpture of a bottle-nosed dolphin filled with bottles and other plastic trash collected from the beach of St. Simons Island, Ga., in the Southeastern United States.

Energy & Environment

People, wildlife, planet pay cost of convenience for single-use plastics

6 min read

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A plastic layer in Earth’s geological record may become our legacy, marking a moment we turned into a single-use planet.

Polymetallic nodules are found on the deep ocean floor.

Energy & Environment

Trump orders U.S. to expedite permits for deep seabed mining

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The order would allow exploratory mining of the ocean floor that is overseen by an organization the U.S. hasn't joined.

Coral bleaching is accelerating as our oceans warm.

Energy & Environment

World's largest coral bleaching event affects over four-fifths of reefs

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The bleaching event began at the start of 2023 and continues today, affecting 82 nations, territories and economies.

COP16 biodiversity talks in Rome led to a funding deal for nature restoration in developing countries.

Energy & Environment

U.N.-brokered biodiversity financing deal keeps green diplomacy alive

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Three days of talks in Rome ended with nations agreeing to support a $200 billion a year global plan to protect nature.

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