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Decision: The missing consensus: An analysis of problem definitions and key motivations in the first zero draft for a global plastics treaty — R1/PR6
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This analysis of the first zero draft for the global plastics treaty found that the document lacks a clear problem definition and focuses disproportionately on marine environments and fishing gear from a downstream perspective, while upstream production reduction measures are underrepresented. The study also identified key differences in health versus economic motivations between EU and broader international treaty negotiating positions, with health and environmental concerns predominating overall.
With the ongoing negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, and the frustration at the end of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3), analyzing the zero draft text, which formed the basis for this negotiation round, is crucial. This analysis examines to what extent the zero draft conveys a clear problem definition as the foundation for an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. We find that the draft lacks a clear problem definition. Additionally, we investigate how the zero draft balances the focus between marine environments and other affected areas and discusses the implications for governance strategies. We find that the draft focuses particularly on fishing gear and hence has a downstream perspective, while upstream measures are equally important. Furthermore, this study delves into the key motivations driving the treaty negotiations, revealing that health and environmental concerns predominate. In comparing our results with previous research, we align with recent publications analyzing INC submissions and onsite statements. In addition, we identify significant differences in key motivations to tackle the plastic pollution issues between the EU and the international level. These disparities, evident in how health and economic arguments are prioritized, reflect varied approaches to combating plastic pollution across political spheres.
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Recommendation: The missing consensus: An analysis of problem definitions and key motivations in the first zero draft for a global plastics treaty — R0/PR2
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This review and recommendation document analyzed the first zero draft for the global plastics treaty, finding that it lacks a clear problem definition and focuses disproportionately on downstream fishing gear and marine environments rather than upstream production reduction measures. The study identifies divergent motivations between EU and international negotiating parties, with health and environmental concerns predominating globally while economic arguments are more prominent at the EU level.
The missing consensus: An analysis of problem definitions and key motivations in the first zero draft for a global plastics treaty
AI summary Read the abstract
Analysis of the zero draft text for the global plastics treaty found it lacks a clear problem definition and has a downstream focus on fishing gear, while upstream production controls are equally important. Key motivations in the draft center on health and environmental concerns, but significant differences exist between EU and international priorities regarding how health and economic arguments are framed.
Towards a global plastics treaty: Navigating policy preferences and economic interests
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This study analyzed pre-session submissions from the second and third rounds of UN global plastics treaty negotiations using systematic qualitative content analysis, identifying a clear divergence between ambitious clusters advocating for upstream production controls and less ambitious clusters focusing on downstream waste management. The analysis predicted that countries with vested interests in plastic production would defend economic positions by limiting the treaty to downstream solutions, potentially undermining the goal of ending plastic pollution.
Desafios e perspectivas no enfrentamento da poluição marinha por plástico sob a ótica das negociações do acordo global juridicamente vinculante
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This research examined the prospects for tackling marine plastic pollution through negotiations on a globally legally binding plastic agreement under UNEP auspices. The study concluded that while the treaty represents a significant advance over existing fragmented frameworks, significant challenges remain due to contradictory options in the draft text and difficulties reaching global consensus on binding provisions.
The Development of Global Governance for Marine Plastic Pollution: Bridging Legal Gaps to Address the Ocean Emergency?
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This Italian-language doctoral thesis analyzed the evolution of global governance for marine plastic pollution, examining international, regional, and national policies and investigating power dynamics in plastic treaty negotiations at the UN level. The research argued for holistic lifecycle approaches that integrate plastic pollution governance with the ocean agenda, climate agenda, and broader environmental concerns to overcome governance gaps and promote treaty coherence.
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