Negotiations End in Deadlock
News report on the failure to reach a global plastic pollution treaty.
Video Transcript
Delegates discussing the world's first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution failed to reach consensus, diplomats said on Friday. They voiced disappointment and even rage that the 10-day talks produced no deal. Inga Anderson, the United Nations Environment Program chief, expressed her disappointment but vowed efforts to get a deal would continue. [ 00:00:17 ]
She stated that UNEP is committed to supporting this process and will not stop, continuing to engage in the multilateral process as member states desire. UNEP will also engage at the ground level with member states who request programmatic support for enhanced management and an end to plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. [ 00:00:31 ]
More than 1,000 delegates gathered for the sixth round of talks after a meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in South Korea late last year ended without a deal. Negotiations went into overtime on Thursday as countries scrambled to bridge deep divisions over the extent of future curbs. [ 00:01:07 ]
Delegates had been seeking a breakthrough, but states pushing for an ambitious treaty said the latest text released overnight failed to meet their expectations. In an apparent reference to oil-producing nations, Colombia's delegate Hendal Rodriguez said a deal had been blocked by a small number of states who simply did not want an agreement. [ 00:01:28 ]
Diplomats and climate advocates had warned earlier this month that efforts by the European Union and small island states to cap virgin plastic production faced opposition from pro-chemical producing countries and the US under President Donald Trump. Anti-plastic campaigners see little hope for a change in position from a government led by Trump, who in February signed an executive order encouraging consumers to buy plastic drinking straws. [ 00:01:52 ]
UN officials and some countries, including Britain, said negotiations should resume, but others described it as a broken process. [ 00:02:08 ]
Welcome to the Negotiation Lab. For years, countries around the world have been trying to create a global treaty to end plastic pollution. But it's not easy. As you've just seen, after several rounds of talks, negotiators are still facing a deadlock—a situation where no agreement can be reached.
Today, you will step into the shoes of these negotiators. Your mission is to understand the different positions and try to find a compromise.
Briefing: Two Sides of the Treaty (10 min)
First, let's understand the main conflict. The debate is centered on two very different ideas for the treaty.
Read the two columns below. Then, with a partner, identify three difficult trade-offs. A trade-off is a situation where you accept something you don't want in order to get something you do want.
| A "Strong Lifecycle" Treaty | A "Narrow Waste-Only" Treaty |
|---|---|
| This approach wants to control plastic from the very beginning to the very end. | This approach focuses only on what happens to plastic after it's used. |
| It includes a cap on how much new plastic can be produced. | It does not limit plastic production. |
| It regulates the entire lifecycle of plastic, including the chemicals used to make it. | It promotes recycling and better waste management as the main solutions. |
| It aims to ban certain types of harmful or unnecessary plastics. | It allows for exemptions for certain products or industries. |
| Supported by environmental groups and many countries vulnerable to pollution. | Supported by the plastics industry and oil-producing countries. |
Think/Pair/Share
What are the biggest challenges in finding an agreement between these two positions? Discuss with a partner.
Vocabulary: Treaty Terms
Before we begin negotiating, let's make sure we understand some key terms.
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| treaty | a formal agreement between two or more countries | The nations are working to sign a treaty to protect the oceans. |
| cap | a limit on the amount of something that is allowed | The government put a cap on carbon emissions from factories. |
| lifecycle | the entire process of something's existence, from creation to disposal | A full lifecycle analysis includes the environmental cost of producing, using, and throwing away a product. |
| exemption | special permission not to have to do something or follow a rule | The new law applies to all businesses, with an exemption for very small companies. |
| deadlock | a situation in a dispute where no progress can be made because the sides disagree so strongly | The negotiations ended in a deadlock, with neither side willing to change its position. |
| compromise | an agreement in which each side gives up some of its demands | To reach a deal, both parties had to make a compromise. |
Roles: Stakeholder Caucuses (30 min)
Now it's time to take on your roles. A stakeholder is a person or group with an interest in a situation. You will be divided into four stakeholder groups. In your group, you will form a caucus—a private meeting to decide your strategy.
The Global Plastics Treaty Explained
A brief overview of the goals and challenges of the treaty negotiations.
Video Transcript
Global leaders are in Canada's capital for talks on drafting a first-ever treaty to rein in soaring plastic pollution. It's meant to address plastics through their entire life cycle, from when they are produced to how they are used and disposed of. [ 00:00:15 ]
The world's nations agreed to develop a legally binding agreement to address the plastic pollution crisis at the UN Environmental Assembly in 2022. The talks in Ottawa are the fourth of five rounds of negotiations, with the final round set for December. If agreed to, it could be the most significant environmental deal since the 2015 Paris climate agreement. [ 00:00:42 ]
Plastic waste has become a global menace, polluting landscapes and waterways. The plastic industry now accounts for 5% of global carbon emissions, which could grow to 20% by 2050 if current trends continue, according to a report from the US Federal Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Most virgin plastic is derived from petroleum, and unless limits are set, plastic production is on track to triple by 2060. [ 01:15 ]
Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China, known collectively as the group of like-minded countries, have opposed mentioning production limits. Meanwhile, the 60-nation High Ambition Coalition, which includes EU countries, island nations, Japan, and the UAE, wants to end plastic pollution by 2040. The Coalition has called for common, legally binding provisions to restrain and reduce production and consumption to sustainable levels. They're also proposing measures such as phasing out problematic single-use plastics. [ 01:50 ]
The US says it also wants to end plastic pollution by 2040 but wants countries to set their own plans for doing so. [ 01:57 ]
A trade group, Global Partners for Plastic Circularity, represents major petrochemical producers. They argue production caps would lead to higher prices for consumers and say the treaty should address plastics only after they are made. The Business Coalition for a Plastics Treaty represents more than 200 consumer-facing companies, including PepsiCo and Walmart. Unlike the petrochemical industry, they support a treaty that includes production caps, according to a statement ahead of the Ottawa talks. [ 02:33 ]
During the three previous rounds of talks, countries became divided. At talks in Nairobi in November, the draft treaty ballooned from 30 pages to 70 as some countries insisted on including their objections to more ambitious measures. Countries are now under pressure to find common ground before the final negotiations in Busan, South Korea in December. [ 02:59 ]
Your teacher will assign you to one of the following four groups. Read your role description and discuss your goals with your caucus.
Island State Petro State Global Brand NGO
Group 1: The Small Island State
Your nation is low-lying and at high risk from pollution and sea-level rise. Your beaches, a source of tourism income, are covered in plastic waste from other countries.
- Your Goal: A strong, legally binding treaty that stops plastic pollution at its source. You want a cap on production.
- Your "Red Line" (Non-negotiable point): The treaty must ban single-use plastics like bags and cutlery.
Group 2: The Petro State
Your country's economy depends heavily on oil and gas exports. The plastics industry is a major customer.
- Your Goal: A treaty that focuses on recycling and waste management. You believe innovation, not production caps, is the answer.
- Your "Red Line": You will not accept any mandatory cap on the production of primary plastic polymers.
Group 3: The Global Brand
You are a multinational company that sells food, drinks, and household products. You use a lot of plastic packaging, but you also have a public commitment to sustainability.
- Your Goal: A treaty that creates a global standard for recycling. You need access to high-quality recycled material to meet your targets.
- Your "Red Line": You cannot support a ban on all single-use plastics, as some are essential for product safety and shelf life.
Group 4: The Environmental NGO
You are a non-governmental organization with a mission to protect the planet. You represent concerned citizens from around the world.
- Your Goal: The strongest possible treaty that covers the full lifecycle of plastics and holds producers financially responsible for waste.
- Your "Red Line": The treaty must not include loopholes like "chemical recycling" or burning plastic for energy, which you see as false solutions.
Language for Negotiation: Hedging & Concessions
To negotiate effectively, you need to be polite and flexible. We use hedging language to sound less direct and more open to discussion. We offer concessions to show we are willing to compromise.
Hedging (to soften your position)
- It seems to us that a production cap is essential.
- Perhaps we could consider a different approach.
- It might be better to focus on the most harmful plastics first.
Making Concessions (to offer a compromise)
- We could accept a focus on recycling, provided that there are also global standards.
- While we cannot agree to a full ban, we would be willing to discuss phasing out certain materials.
- We can agree to your point, but only if producers contribute to the cost.
Your Task
In your caucus, use the language of hedging and concessions to draft one compromise clause for the treaty. This clause should reflect your group's goal but also try to appeal to at least one other stakeholder. Write one clear sentence.
Plenary Session (15 min)
It's time to come together. A representative from each stakeholder caucus will now read their compromise clause to the entire group.
The teacher will act as the moderator. After each clause is read, the moderator will ask questions to the other groups.
- How does this proposal affect your interests?
- Is this clause something you could potentially agree to? Why or why not?
- What would need to change for you to support this?
Listen carefully to the other proposals and be ready to politely disagree or show support.
A plenary session at the United Nations.
Debrief (5 min)
Negotiation is about give and take. As a class, let's reflect on the process.
Think about the activity and discuss these questions:
- Which stakeholder had the most difficult job? Why?
- Was it difficult to find a compromise?
- What is the most important thing you would be willing to give up to get an agreement?
This simulation shows why the real-world negotiations are so challenging. Finding a solution that works for everyone requires creative thinking and a willingness to compromise.