{"id":68468,"date":"2025-08-07T20:34:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T12:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/philippines\/?p=68468"},"modified":"2025-08-07T20:34:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T12:34:19","slug":"plastics-treaty-in-jeopardy-as-lobbyists-continue-to-weaken-global-pact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/philippines\/press\/68468\/plastics-treaty-in-jeopardy-as-lobbyists-continue-to-weaken-global-pact\/","title":{"rendered":"Plastics Treaty in jeopardy as lobbyists continue to weaken global pact"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Civil society, scientists, and communities urge governments to reject watered-down deal, back production cuts<\/h2>\n\n
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As world governments meet in Geneva for the Global Plastic Treaty Talks, Greenpeace activists create a symbolic trail of black oil and hang massive banners on the entrance of the Palais des Nations to call out the undue influence of the fossil fuel industry in the negotiations.The action highlights attempts by fossil fuel lobbyists and oil producing states to prevent countries agreeing to cut plastic production as a core part of the new treaty. \u00a9 Samuel Schalch \/ Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

07 August 2025, Geneva, Switzerland\/Quezon City, Philippines<\/em> \u2014 Talks for a landmark Global Plastics Treaty resumed in Geneva, Switzerland this week amid mounting concerns over efforts by oil-producing states and industry lobbyists to derail the ambition and scope of what environmental advocates consider the biggest environmental deal since the Paris Agreement.<\/p>\n\n

Greenpeace Philippines, along with civil society organizations, scientists, and communities from around the world, are sounding the alarm as a bloc of oil-producing states\u2014backed by fossil fuel and petrochemical lobbyists\u2014pushes to narrow the treaty\u2019s focus to waste management, removing provisions related to plastic production, climate, and health impacts. Reports[1]<\/sup> revealed the growing presence of fossil fuel and petrochemical industry representatives in the negotiations, with over 200 industry-linked observers participating in previous sessions.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe Plastics Treaty is under threat,\u201d said Marian Ledesma, Zero Waste Campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines, who is in Geneva attending the talks. \u201cIf governments do not ensure that measures for production reduction, phaseout of problematic single-use plastics, and hazardous chemical elimination are in the treaty, we will end up with a weak agreement that protects corporate profits over people\u2019s health and the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

The ongoing negotiations mark the final round of talks for the legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. Advocates say this is a critical moment for governments to reject industry-driven proposals and instead support binding targets that phase down plastic production, eliminate single-use plastics and toxic chemicals, and support a just transition to reuse systems.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe Philippines must take a bold stand in these talks,\u201d said Ledesma. \u201cWe need countries to establish real solutions supported by just financial mechanisms. The recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice[2]<\/sup> makes it clear: states have a duty to ensure everyone\u2019s right to a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment. That won\u2019t be possible if plastic production continues to skyrocket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

During the opening plenary, the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty said in a statement, \u201cPlastic pollution, including nano-, micro-, and macro-plastics, is leaked and released along the full life cycle of plastics. Plastic pollution directly and indirectly harms human and environmental health, as confirmed by decades of international research.\u201d The international network of scientific and technical experts also emphasized the need for \u201ca legally-binding treaty with the scope to cover the full life cycle of plastics\u201d and \u201cmandatory obligations to prevent plastic pollution at the source.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

In the Philippines, over 80 organizations, academic institutions, and businesses have submitted a letter[3]<\/sup> to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), urging the Philippine delegation to align with countries demanding an ambitious treaty that prioritizes upstream solutions like reduction and reuse over downstream waste management strategies.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cPlastic pollution doesn\u2019t start in our homes. It starts in boardrooms and factories,\u201d Ledesma said. \u201cNo amount of recycling or cleanup can undo the damage caused by relentless plastic production. Our world leaders must have the courage to stop plastic at the source.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Greenpeace Philippines calls on the government to:<\/p>\n\n