Washington, Aug 8 (AP) – Despite the United States' recent withdrawal from various international climate commitments under President Donald Trump, it is actively participating in current treaty negotiations aimed at curbing plastic pollution. Delegates have gathered in Geneva to work on a potentially groundbreaking global treaty over a span of 10 days, focusing on combatting the increasing plastic pollution crisis. The core debate centers on whether to impose restrictions on new plastic production or to concentrate efforts on enhancing design, recycling, and reuse strategies.
Approximately 3,700 participants from 184 countries, alongside over 600 organizations, are involved in the discussions. Why is the US participating in the negotiations? After President Trump assumed office for a second term, he promptly removed the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change. The US also abstained from participating in an April vote at the International Maritime Organisation regarding a greenhouse gas emissions fee for ships and did not attend the UN Ocean Conference in June, leading some to speculate on whether the US would engage in the Geneva talks. However, the State Department informed The Associated Press that involvement in these negotiations is vital to safeguarding US business interests and could bolster national security by protecting natural resources, fostering prosperity, and ensuring safety.
The Plastics Industry Association notes that the sector contributes over $500 billion annually to the economy and employs nearly a million Americans. The State Department describes the negotiations as a historic chance to establish a global plan for reducing plastic pollution through practical and cost-effective solutions, promoting innovation within the private sector rather than an outright ban on plastics.
What does the US want in the treaty? The US supports clauses that focus on improving waste collection and management, enhancing product design, and promoting recycling and reuse efforts to reduce environmental plastic waste. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that this year alone, 22 million tons of plastic waste could enter the environment, potentially escalating to 30 million tons annually by 2040 if no changes occur. Even with better waste management, without addressing production and demand, the OECD anticipates 13.5 million tons of plastic waste annually.
What does the US not want in the treaty? The US, alongside several major oil and gas nations, opposes reducing plastic production. As most plastics are fossil fuel-derived, even minor production increases would likely cause greenhouse gas emissions to surpass double the current rate by 2050, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory research. The US resists global production caps on plastics and bans on particular plastic products or chemical additives, emphasizing solutions tailored to each nation's needs rather than universal mandates.
Such views align with the plastics industry, which argues that production caps could unintentionally drive up plastic costs and believes chemical regulations are better handled in separate forums.
What has the US done in Geneva so far? On the first negotiation day, the US suggested removing language from the treaty's objectives concerning the entire life cycle of plastics. This notion was a vital component of the treaty's original mandate. Eliminating this language could diminish the chance of controlling plastic supply or production, a position previously supported under President Joe Biden’s administration.
What are people saying about the US position? The stance has garnered praise from industry leaders but criticism from environmentalists. Chris Jahn, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, commended the approach of the Trump administration for balancing national rights with effective solutions to tackle plastic waste. Conversely, Graham Forbes of Greenpeace accused the US of weakening aspirations for robust international plastic regulations.
Does the US think the world can agree on a treaty that will end plastic pollution? The US aims to finalize a draft for an international plastic pollution agreement that would be acceptable to all nations, including significant producers and consumers of plastics, according to a State Department statement. (AP)
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