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The latest draft of the UN’s long-anticipated plastic treaty has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts and environmental advocates, who argue that it is markedly less ambitious than its predecessor. As negotiations falter amid geopolitical tensions and powerful industry lobbying, concerns grow over the treaty’s ability to effectively address the escalating crisis of plastic pollution and its implications for human health.
Unpacking the Latest Draft
Following a year of stalled negotiations after the collapse of talks in Geneva in 2025, diplomats convened informally in Nairobi from 30 June to 3 July 2026. Their aim was to develop a new “no surprises” document, which Chair Julio Cordano, the Chilean ambassador to the UN, characterised as an “informal, evolving reference document”. While Cordano expressed optimism regarding member states’ engagement, the draft has been labelled as insufficient.
According to Andrés del Castillo, a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, the draft remains largely unchanged from its previous version, with issues surrounding production, health, and chemical regulations still unresolved. “Science and reality are not adapting to the geopolitical context,” he stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation, particularly as Europe faces a fifth consecutive heatwave.
Health Commitments in Jeopardy
Concerns about the inadequate representation of human health in the treaty are particularly alarming. Megan Deeney, a research fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, noted that references to human health appear merely nine times in the substantive articles of the draft, with seven of these mentions bracketed—indicating significant disagreement. “The protection of our health and that of generations to come is tenuous in this treaty,” she remarked, highlighting the potential for critical health commitments to be lost in ongoing negotiations.
The minimal focus on health stands in stark contrast to the overwhelming evidence linking plastic pollution to various health issues, from endocrine disruption to respiratory problems. This oversight raises questions about the treaty’s effectiveness in safeguarding human wellbeing in the face of mounting environmental challenges.
The Influence of Industry Lobbying
The negotiations have been further complicated by the influence of the plastic industry, which remains a powerful player in these discussions. Fabienne McLellan, managing director of the environmental NGO OceanCare, described the current draft as “one large bracket,” filled with proposals that echo those previously rejected in Geneva. The persistent lobbying efforts from oil and plastic-producing nations have led some NGOs to express a loss of faith in the process, as these countries continue to resist calls for production caps.
As the treaty’s language suggests a focus solely on environmental protection without addressing the root causes of plastic pollution, McLellan warns of the risk of creating “essentially a waste-management treaty.” The failure to confront the link between fossil fuel production and plastic pollution could undermine the treaty’s intended purpose, as the two crises remain largely treated as separate issues.
Future Negotiations and the Path Ahead
Looking ahead, the next round of negotiations is set for March 2027—an unusually lengthy gap of 18 months that raises concerns about momentum. Del Castillo emphasised the need for a clear focus on the “how” of addressing plastic pollution, advocating for innovative approaches that could break the stalemate inherent in the current consensus-based negotiation model.
The ongoing challenges of these discussions highlight the necessity of civil society involvement to ensure that nations remain ambitious in their commitments. As McLellan aptly noted, the issue of unchecked plastic production driven by fossil feedstock is the “elephant in the room” that must be addressed if meaningful progress is to be made.
Why it Matters
The implications of this draft treaty extend far beyond environmental concerns; they touch upon the fundamental health and wellbeing of populations globally. As plastic pollution continues to escalate, the potential health risks associated with it cannot be overlooked. A treaty that neglects to robustly address the interplay between plastic production and human health undermines both current and future generations’ quality of life. With mounting evidence linking plastic exposure to serious health issues, it is imperative that the negotiators act decisively to craft a treaty that prioritises human health alongside environmental preservation. Failure to do so may result in a lost opportunity to tackle one of the most pressing public health crises of our time.
