Campaigners have accused the US and other developed countries of blocking discussions on cutting plastic production, alleging that developing countries succumbed to pressure from fossil fuel and industry lobbyists. According to The Guardian, this resulted in a last-minute compromise that stalls progress toward the first global treaty to reduce plastic waste.

Despite talks concluding in Ottawa without an agreement on a proposal to cut plastic production by 2040, campaigners argue that countries are wasting time. The proposal, backed by 29 nations and aimed at addressing the scale of the plastic output, was marginalized or ignored during the discussions. 

David Azoulay, the director of environmental health at the Center for International Environmental Law, criticized this decision, suggesting that the compromise favored the interests of countries heavily reliant on petroleum resources and industry influences.

Notably, the US faced particular censure for impeding discussions on reducing plastic production. Despite efforts from some nations to advocate for such reductions, compromises made at the summit ignored these objectives, leaving negotiations uncertain. 

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Supporters of Reducing Plastic Production

So far, 29 countries, including Australia, Denmark, Nigeria, Portugal, and the Netherlands, have supported the proposal to address the scale of plastic production and advocate for reductions in plastic waste.

Meanwhile, representatives of the petrochemical industry reiterated their commitment to cutting plastic waste but resisted reducing plastic production, emphasizing the societal benefits of plastics. 

The plastic production industry was valued at $712 billion in 2023.

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