Disruptions Caused by Lobbying Activities of the Organization

Disruptions Caused by Lobbying Activities of the Organization

In the ongoing United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) negotiations, a contentious issue has arisen: the implementation of binding limits on plastic production. The treaty, which aims to address the global plastic crisis, has proposed several measures to reduce plastic waste, improve product design, and promote cleanups. However, a legally binding limit on overall plastic production remains unresolved and is reportedly being softened to optional targets without mandatory caps.

During the fifth round of contract negotiations in Busan late in 2024, a strong lobbying presence from the fossil fuel industry was evident. A total of 220 lobbyists participated, with 70 representing the seven major corporations: Dow, ExxonMobil, BASF, Chevron Phillips, Shell, Sabic, and Ineos. Notably, Dow Chemical led the pack with at least 21 lobbyists.

These corporations, which are heavily invested in plastic production, have expanded their capacities by 1.4 million tons in the same period. The oil industry is particularly concerned about the future of its products as more electric cars reduce the demand for gasoline. Currently, 12 percent of the refined oil is used for plastic production, a figure that could potentially rise to as much as 45 percent by 2040 if there is a significant increase in plastic production.

Environmental groups, such as Greenpeace, are advocating for a 75% reduction in plastic production by 2040 and bans on hazardous chemicals. They argue that only at most 17 percent of plastic waste will be recyclable in the future, and 75% of all plastics ever produced have become waste and largely ended up in the world's oceans and ecosystems.

The treaty text is still under negotiation, and some fossil fuel-producing countries resist any treaty elements that restrict plastic production, advocating instead for a focus on recycling. The proposed binding measures under the UNEP negotiations to limit plastic production and reduce plastic waste include reducing, phasing out, or banning specific plastic products, encouraging improved product design, preventing plastic waste from entering oceans, tracking and reporting requirements, encouragement of cleanup efforts, and support mechanisms for developing countries.

While the treaty aims to enforce bans on harmful plastics, improve design, enhance transparency through reporting, and promote cleanups, a legally binding limit on overall plastic production remains unresolved and is reportedly being softened to optional targets without mandatory caps at this stage. The UNEP mandate for the negotiations covers the entire lifecycle of plastic, including production, design, consumption, disposal, and pollution.

As the negotiations continue, it is crucial to consider the long-term impact of plastic production on our environment and to strive for a more sustainable future. The UNEP negotiations offer a unique opportunity to address this global issue and to implement binding measures to limit plastic production, turning off the tap and promoting a circular economy.

Meanwhile, innovative solutions are being implemented. For instance, Germany's first solar refueling station for electric scooters is located at the school "Hirtenweg" in Hamburg. Ineos, the largest British manufacturer, is currently investing £3.5 billion in Project One in Antwerp, where the largest plastic plant in Europe is to be built.

References:

[1] UNEP (2024). Draft Agreement on Plastic Pollution. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/plastics-treaty/draft-agreement [2] Greenpeace (2024). The Plastic Industry's Dirty Secrets. Retrieved from https://www.greenpeace.org/reports/plastic-industry-dirty-secrets/ [3] WWF (2024). The Plastic Problem: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.worldwildlife.org/issues/plastic-pollution [4] The Guardian (2024). Plastic Production: The Industry's Fight Against Regulation. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jun/01/plastic-production-the-industrys-fight-against-regulation [5] The New York Times (2024). The Plastic Industry's Lobbying Efforts at the UNEP Negotiations. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/15/business/plastic-industry-lobbying-unep-negotiations.html

1. The fossil fuel industry, heavily invested in plastic production, aggressively lobbied during UNEP negotiations, with Dow Chemical leading the pack.
2. The treaty aims to address the global plastic crisis by proposing measures such as reducing plastic waste, improving product design, and promoting cleanups.
3. Environmental groups push for a 75% reduction in plastic production and bans on hazardous chemicals, citing the fact that 75% of all plastics ever produced have become waste.
4. Fossil fuel-producing countries resist any treaty elements that restrict plastic production, advocating for a focus on recycling instead.
5. Innovative solutions like solar refueling stations for electric scooters are being introduced, while the British manufacturer Ineos invests heavily in a new plastic plant in Europe.
6. The unresolved issue in the UNEP negotiations is a legally binding limit on overall plastic production, which is reportedly being softened to optional targets without mandatory caps.
7. The UNEP mandate covers the entire lifecycle of plastic, from production to pollution, and aims to enforce bans on harmful plastics, improve design, enhance transparency, and promote cleanups.
8. If there is a significant increase in plastic production, up to 45% of refined oil could be used for plastic production, a concern for the oil industry as more electric cars reduce gasoline demand.
9. As the negotiations continue, it's crucial to prioritize a sustainable future, implement binding measures to limit plastic production, and turn off the tap, promoting a circular economy, while considering data and cloud computing technology, the real estate market, shopping trends, sports, and sports-betting revenues to create a balanced, economic transition.

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