The environmental action NGO have sent a delegation to Switzerland to take part in the negotiations, and will host an event with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation on coordinated, global solutions.
The previous round of the negotiations (INC-5) ended on 1 December in Busan, South Korea, with stakeholders unable to reach an agreement on a treaty to eliminate plastic pollution.
This round of negotiations is set to end on 14 August 2025.
Government urged to ‘reset’ plastics use
Environmental campaigners, including Friends of the Earth Scotland, have called on the Scottish Government to do more to tackle to root causes of the pollution in an open letter to First Minister, John Swinney.
Kim Pratt, Friends of the Earth Scotland, commented: “The Global Plastics Treaty is an incredible opportunity internationally, and a chance for the Scottish Government to reset the way plastics are used in Scotland too.
“There are practical steps the Scottish Government should be taking today to halt the plastics crisis.
“These include immediately banning the burning of plastic waste, forcing companies to be responsible for cleaning the products they sell, and investing in reuse services.”
In the lead up to the renewed talks, the UK Government launched an inquiry into the Treaty’s key proposals and the challenges standing in the way of a final deal.
Following the inquiry, several MPs wrote to the government, urging the important of an agreement that includes targets to reduce the production of plastic.
Why did the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations fail to reach a consensus?
Three main disagreements led to the failed last round of negotiations, which was meant to be the last.
Firstly, over 200 assembled nations debated whether the treaty’s scope should focus solely on post-consumer waste or the entire lifecycle of plastics, including production.
Secondly, the negotiations struggled to agree on a definition for “plastic pollution”. Some nations argue it includes emissions and hazardous substances from production, while others believe it pertains only to end-of-life management.
Lastly, there was disagreement over the course of the five negotiations as to whether the treaty should enforce binding commitments or remain voluntary, reflecting differing national priorities and capacities.
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