A report released today by Greenpeace UK reveals how the Global Plastics Treaty is under threat from some of the world's largest petrochemical companies who have been systematically lobbying against cuts to plastic production while generating massive profits from their growing plastics business. The report reveals that since the treaty talks began in November 2022, seven companies alone have produced enough plastic to fill 6.3 million rubbish trucks - equivalent to five and a half trucks every minute.
The report – 'Plastics, Profits and Power: How petrochemical companies are derailing the Global Plastics Treaty', draws on data obtained from industry sources. It finds that that since the start of the treaty process, Dow, ExxonMobil, BASF, Chevron Phillips, Shell, SABIC and INEOS, have ramped up their plastic production capacity by 1.4 million tonnes and sent a combined total of 70 lobbyists to negotiations, where they have also been represented by powerful industry front groups.
Dow alone has sent at least 21 lobbyists to negotiations whilst earning an estimated £3.4 billion from plastics. The report also states that INEOS, the UK's largest plastics producer, has raised production capacity by more than 20% and is investing £3.5 billion in Project ONE, set to become Europe's biggest plastics plant in Antwerp, Belgium.
The Greenpeace UK report comes just days before governments meet in Geneva, Switzerland, in the final round of treaty talks. The report reveals the tactics used by lobbyists to dominate negotiations, influence delegates, and block progress. It also highlights the lobbying by powerful trade associations at the Talks, pushing industry-friendly positions while shielding corporate members from scrutiny.
Anna Diski, the report's author and Senior Plastics Campaigner with Greenpeace UK said:
"We all want to see a strong Global Plastics Treaty that turns the tide on plastic pollution. Our research shows that those with the most to lose from meaningful regulation are working hardest to obstruct it. We can't allow the corporations who profit from plastic pollution to write the rules or we'll end up with a toothless Treaty. It's time to ban lobbyists from the Talks and for UN Member States to stand firm and support a strong Treaty."
According to CIEL, 220 fossil fuels lobbyists attended the fifth round of treaty negotiations in 2024 held in Busan, South Korea which ended without agreement. This made lobbyists the single largest delegation at the Talks – more than the EU and its member states combined, outnumbering the delegates from the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty by three to one.
Greenpeace is calling for at least a 75% reduction in plastic production by 2040 and is demanding that a strong conflict of interest policy be embedded in the Treaty to prevent undue influence; negotiations must also prioritise those most affected by the plastics crisis, with space guaranteed for independent scientists, Indigenous Peoples, frontline communities and civil society groups, all of whom should all be able to play a role in shaping and implementing the Treaty.
All of the companies mentioned in the report were given the opportunity to comment on the findings, none responded.
