Plastics Treaty Negotiations: Rift Between Two blocs

• Shift in plastics manufacturing industry from Europe to South and Southeast Asia leads to deadlock in Geneva Plastics Treaty negotiations.

• UNEP is developing a legally binding treaty to address plastic pollution.

• Two coalitions: High Ambition Coalition (HAC) and Like Minded Countries (LMC) exist. HAC argues production cuts or polymer capping are insufficient to contain plastic pollution. LMC advocates for waste management and trade disruptions.

• Asia dominates global trade in primary plastic polymers.

• US supports no production cuts proposals.

• India supports LMC, urging INC to focus on waste management and behavioural change programs.