It shouldn't be a surprise that representatives of plastics companies and chemical suppliers have been active in discussions about the global plastics treaty.
But just how many people were there from the plastics industry? That's up for debate.
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) says there were 220 fossil fuel and chemical industry representatives at the fifth round of negotiations that just wrapped up without a final agreement. (There will be another session in early 2025 as Steve Toloken writes.)
CIEL calls that number a "flood" of lobbyists.
But the International Council of Chemical Associations says there were 135 delegates representing plastics, petrochemical and chemical manufacturing, Matthew Kastner, director of media relations for the American Chemistry Council, said in a news release. By ICCA's count, the industry was "far outnumbered" by environmental groups with more than 1,600 delegates from non-governmental organizations.
Why the discrepancy? It's hard to say exactly, but it may have something to do with how different groups define who belongs in the plastics industry. Do global beverage brands belong on the plastics side of the business because they use PET?
Regardless, why would anyone be surprised that an industry at the heart of a global treaty — which could lead to limits on production or increased costs — would be heavily involved in those talks? Likewise, expecting groups like Greenpeace to step aside is also folly.
"Our delegation appreciates the inclusivity and transparency the [United Nations] has shown in permitting observers to attend the negotiation process and publishing the list of those in attendance," Kastner said.
