5-12 August, Geneva, Switzerland - The final round of UN Global Plastics Treaty talks ended without an agreement. A handful of petrochemical-backed governments blocked progress and dragged the process into chaos. 😠 Frustrating, but also a clear sign of just how scared the industry is of losing control. 234 petrochemical industry lobbyists crowded the process, trying to shape the outcome to protect their profits.

The good news: we stopped a weak treaty being signed. Over 120 countries, including the UK, held firm for a strong, legally binding deal to cut plastic production. The chair’s draft text was widely rejected for being far too weak - which was a positive outcome in itself.

Also, our work made a real difference:

• We handed in a powerful petition at the UN, setting a precedent for pushing fossil fuel lobbyist bans at future summits.

• The UK Government arrived firmly on our side: the delegation pushed hard for ambition. Minister Emma Hardy even took the floor in plenary to call the draft text 'unacceptable.'

• Thanks to our brand attack, Dove’s parent company Unilever led an influential business coalition backing cuts to plastic production.

• Before talks began, we exposed and disrupted INEOS - the UK’s biggest plastic producer - making fossil fuel interference a major media story heading into negotiations.

• We then followed this with our Plastics, Profits and Power report, exposing that just seven petrochemical companies sending lobbyists to the talks have produced 6.3 million rubbish trucks’ worth of plastic since the talks began. (That’s five and a half trucks every minute!).

Next steps: not yet clear. Ambitious countries are still willing to keep pushing, and there could be an INC5.3 - though it’s unclear when this might be or who would pay for it. It could take the form of stand-alone talks or be bolted onto other UN meetings. We will keep you updated when we know more!