Why Did the Global Plastics Treaty Fail? Summary
- Treaty talks among 183 countries concluded without a legal agreement.
- Leading companies, including Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever, expressed disappointment over the unsuccessful negotiations.
- The food and beverage industry anticipated the treaty would limit virgin plastic usage and enhance recycling efforts.
- Fragmented regulations raise business costs and impede sustainable investments.
- Discussions will continue, with stakeholders remaining dedicated to addressing global plastic challenges.
Prominent food manufacturers such as Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever find themselves disheartened after negotiations to finalize a global treaty on plastic pollution fell short.
The treaty had taken years to develop, culminating in a 10-day negotiation period described as “hard fought”. However, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the 1,400 member delegates could not agree on a legally binding framework to address plastic pollution.
This outcome is not what the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) aimed for. “Failing to reach the goal we set ourselves may bring sadness, even frustration,” states INC chair ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso.
Food Giants Disappointed with Plastics Treaty Outcome
Many renowned food manufacturers are similarly dismayed. A global treaty on plastic pollution would have encouraged the food industry to rethink its packaging strategies, likely limiting the use of virgin plastics and enhancing recyclability.
The lack of unified regulations throughout the plastics lifecycle continues to create an uneven playing field. “Harmonised regulations are essential to reduce business complexity and cost while also increasing confidence to invest in solutions,” explains Unilever’s Rebecca Marmot, chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer.
Nestlé shares this sentiment. Jodie Roussell, global public affairs lead for packaging and sustainability, emphasizes that voluntary measures alone are insufficient. The current fragmented regulatory framework leads to increased costs and complexity for businesses.
Negotiations Fail, Yet Will Resume
Despite the unsuccessful negotiations, the INC has committed to resuming discussions at an undetermined future date.
Valdivieso asserts that this result should not cause discouragement. “On the contrary, it should spur us to regain our energy, renew our commitments, and unite our aspirations.”
Moreover, food manufacturers see reasons for optimism. For Unilever, the alignment among various stakeholders—governments, businesses, and civil society—calling for a plastics treaty is promising. “We will continue our efforts to tackle plastic pollution and stand ready to support governments in delivering globally coordinated regulations,” affirms Marmot.
While the next steps remain uncertain, the INC is confident that this outcome does not mark a definitive end to the pursuit of a global treaty. “As this session concludes, we leave with an understanding of the challenges ahead and a renewed and shared commitment to address them,” says INC Secretariat executive secretary Jyoti Mathur-Filipp.
“Progress must now be our obligation.”