Global Negotiations on Plastic Pollution
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution held a plenary session at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva on August 9, 2025. The session highlighted a deadlock between two major blocs of countries over strategies to contain plastic pollution.
Key Coalitions
- High Ambition Coalition (HAC): Chaired by Norway and Rwanda, it includes nearly 80 countries and members of the European Union (EU).
- Like-Minded Countries (LMC): Includes Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, China, and Cuba. India expressed solidarity with the LMC.
Negotiation Stalemate
- The HAC advocates for caps on plastic and polymer production to curb pollution.
- The LMC argues for a focus on waste management instead, citing potential disruptions in trade due to production caps.
Global Trade Dynamics
- Asia dominates global trade in primary plastic polymers, with 11 exporting and 18 importing countries.
- The United States and Saudi Arabia are leading exporters of ethylene polymers.
- Key trade routes involve China, India, Mexico, Canada, and Vietnam, among others.
Industry Perspectives and Challenges
- India's support for LMC aligns with the industry lobby's stance against capping polymer production.
- Emphasis on enhancing waste management and promoting behavioral change to reduce littering.
- Declining margins and demand for polymer products challenge the business case for petroleum and polymer refining.
The session underscored the complexity of reaching a global consensus on addressing plastic pollution, with significant economic and geopolitical factors influencing the negotiations.