Geneva, Switzerland – August 4, 2025 – On the eve of pivotal negotiations at the United Nations, hundreds of citizens and civil society organizations gathered in Geneva’s Place des Nations to send a clear message: the world needs a strong, legally binding Global Plastics Treaty that holds polluters accountable and addresses plastic production at its root.

The demonstration, led by Greenpeace Switzerland, the Break Free From Plastic movement, the Gallifrey Foundation, and other environmental and social justice organizations, brought together a vibrant wave of protestors dressed in red, yellow, and orange to symbolise the escalating urgency of the plastic pollution crisis. These colors were chosen not for flair, but for alarm. As negotiators prepare to meet at the Palais des Nations from August 5 to 14, demonstrators signaled that civil society is watching closely.

Demanding Production Limits, Not Just Cleanup

While much of the global conversation on plastic pollution has focused on waste management and recycling, protesters are shifting the spotlight upstream – onto plastic production itself.

“As host country of the negotiations on plastic pollution, we count on Switzerland to stay firm on the ambition of the future Global Treaty,” said Joëlle Hérin, expert in consumption and circular economy at Greenpeace Switzerland. “With plastic production set to triple by 2050, the treaty would be bound to fail without a global target to reduce plastic production. We need to end the age of plastic to protect our health, our communities and our planet.”

That production figure – set to triple by mid-century – is backed by estimates from the OECD and UNEP, which have warned that without drastic intervention, global plastic waste could exceed 1.2 billion tonnes annually by 2060. The lion’s share of this plastic originates from fossil fuels, linking the plastics crisis inextricably to the climate emergency.

Lobbyists Outnumber Delegates

One of the key concerns voiced by civil society is the growing influence of the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries within the treaty process. At the last round of negotiations, industry lobbyists turned out in force.

“At the previous round of negotiations, we counted 221 lobbyists from the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries. If they had formed a single delegation, it would have been the largest at the talks, far outnumbering that of the European Union and its Member States combined (191),” said Laurianne Trimoulla, Communications and Project Manager at the Gallifrey Foundation. “This overwhelming presence shows just how threatened these industries are by a strong Plastics Treaty.”

Geneva, a global trading hub for crude oil and petrochemicals, is expected to see even higher numbers of industry representatives at this round of talks. Advocates fear this could dilute the ambition of the treaty and redirect focus toward voluntary commitments and end-of-pipe solutions that fall short of systemic change.

“Civil society has had enough of their manipulation and delay tactics,” Trimoulla added. “The world can now see clearly: plastics and the climate change crisis are fuelled by the fossil fuel industry. A handful of companies are impacting billions of lives. We need a robust and legally binding Treaty. Now. We are all watching.”

Waste Trade Under Fire

Another issue gaining prominence in the negotiations is the cross-border trade in plastic waste—a practice that often shifts the burden of pollution to less wealthy nations. Environmental groups warn that without stringent rules, the treaty risks perpetuating environmental injustice under the guise of recycling.

“A strong global plastics treaty isn’t just about reducing pollution – it’s our opportunity to end the injustice of waste trade, ensuring that no community becomes a dumping ground for another’s excess,” said Mageswari Sangaralingam from Sahabat Alam Malaysia.

She cited a sharp rise in Swiss plastic waste exports to Malaysia – from 69,820 kg in 2022 to 258,897 kg in 2024, a 271% increase.

“A meaningful treaty must close loopholes that disguise waste trade as recycling,” Sangaralingam continued. “By curbing waste trade, the plastics treaty can shift nations such as Switzerland from exporting pollution to investing in upstream solutions and taking responsibility for their own waste.”

The waste trade issue has already caused friction between Global North and South nations, with developing countries demanding stronger protections and accountability measures to prevent continued environmental harm.

Tensions Ahead of Final Negotiations

The Geneva meeting marks the fifth and final round of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee’s discussions on the Global Plastics Treaty, an initiative launched by the UN Environment Assembly in 2022. If successful, it could become the most significant international environmental treaty since the Paris Agreement.

However, achieving consensus remains challenging. While many countries and civil society groups are calling for mandatory global production caps, transparency requirements, and curbs on fossil fuel-derived plastic, others – backed by industry – favor voluntary national action plans and industry-led initiatives.

Negotiators will need to balance environmental urgency, geopolitical interests, and powerful industrial lobbying. Meanwhile, the pressure from the public is growing.

Momentum with the Movement

Despite obstacles, public momentum is on the side of a more ambitious treaty. According to a recent Ipsos poll conducted in 31 countries, an overwhelming majority – almost 90% – support a global treaty to end plastic pollution. Grassroots mobilization, like the Geneva rally, highlights that civil society is not only engaged, but increasingly unified in its demands.

From climate activists to health advocates and waste pickers’ unions, a broad coalition has emerged with one shared message: plastic pollution is a global crisis demanding systemic solutions.

With the world’s attention on Geneva, the next 10 days will be critical. The decisions made here will determine whether the international community rises to meet the moment or allows another environmental crisis to escalate unchecked.