The EU is considered a pioneer in many ways, for example with the ban on disposable plastic such as straws and plastic cutlery. However, the fact that strict standards are achieved worldwide is considered unrealistic. Moritz Jäger-Roschko from the Environmental Organization Greenpeace emphasizes that an agreement is important for people in Europe, since they used many plastic products that are not manufactured in the EU-and whose manufacturers did not stick to EU regulations in case of doubt. “In addition, Germany is also the largest plastic murderer in Europe, which means that our garbage is jointly responsible for the garbage problem worldwide,” said Jäger-Roschko.
More than 100 countries from Antigua and Barbuda to Vanuatu have also spoken out for a strong contract with clear requirements for limiting production, including the EU as well as many African, Asian and Latin American states. However, they make up only 30 percent of the market share and a quarter of the world’s population. The approximately 300 companies and financial institutions of the “entrepreneur coalition for an ambitious plastic contract” are also for a “robust contract with global rules and uniform obligations”. China, the country with the largest plastic production, has already planned nationally.
Most plastics are made from oil, which is why the oil states in particular prevent an ambitious contract, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States and Russia. They just want to talk about garbage and recycling. The US government under Donald Trump is leaving regulations of all kinds. “As a result, the situation in the negotiations has not exactly simplified,” says negotiator circles. The United States is the largest manufacturer countries of plastic with China – in Europe it is Germany.
If there is an agreement, there would be a diplomatic conference for signing next year. Ratification in the individual countries is likely to take several years. Representatives of more than 160 countries are expected in Geneva, as are hundreds of participants from environmental organizations and industrial lobby associations. Germany is represented with a delegation on site, but the EU is negotiating for all member states.
