Leaders from almost 200 countries are locked in tense talks in Geneva, trying to agree on something that could change the way the world uses plastic forever. With only hours left, negotiators are attempting to hammer out a global treaty aimed at stopping plastic pollution from choking the planet. But the discussions are proving difficult.
On Monday night, the talks nearly collapsed when two blocs of countries clashed over the treaty’s focus. One side, led by the European Union, is pushing to cut plastic production at the source. The other, made up largely of oil-producing nations, wants the treaty to deal only with cleaning up waste after it’s already made. To many, this may sound like a small difference—but it is enormous. Cutting production means fewer plastics entering the world in the first place, while focusing only on waste would allow production to keep climbing, leaving countries scrambling to manage an ever-growing mess.
Plastic is already everywhere—woven into the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. In Kenya, it clogs rivers, litters beaches, and pollutes the streets, despite bans on plastic carrier bags since 2017 and single-use plastics in parks and beaches since 2020. Without global limits on production, even the strictest local laws will struggle to keep up.
Another sticking point in Geneva is money. Many poorer countries, including several in Africa, say they cannot tackle plastic pollution without financial help. They are calling for a dedicated fund to help them cut plastic use, clean up waste, and develop better alternatives. Wealthier nations, such as those in the EU, agree in principle but want clear rules on production before committing funds, insisting they need to know exactly how the money will be used. Even African countries are not fully united—Kenya is among those pushing for global limits on plastic production, while others, including some in North Africa and Nigeria, are more cautious, fearing such limits could harm their industries. Still, most agree that strong financial support must be part of any deal.
While politicians trade positions inside the conference hall, scientists warn that the clock is ticking. Experts say more than 16,000 chemicals are used to make plastic, many of them harmful to human health. Some can cause serious illnesses, yet only a fraction are covered by global safety rules. “Plastic pollution is a challenge we all need to solve,” said Professor Richard Thompson, a marine scientist. “The evidence shows it’s harming our health and the environment at every stage of its life.”
Outside the United Nations building, campaigners and Indigenous leaders from around the world gathered with banners, demanding a strong treaty. They reminded negotiators that plastic pollution is not just an environmental problem—it’s a human one. In Kenya, fishermen along the coast say their catches are shrinking because plastic waste is destroying breeding grounds for fish. In Nairobi’s Dandora dumpsite, entire communities are exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals from burning plastics.
The countries in Geneva are split into camps. Over 100 nations, including Kenya’s allies in the EU, form the High Ambition Coalition, pushing for strong rules that address plastics from production to disposal. The Like-Minded Group, led by Saudi Arabia and other oil producers, wants the treaty to stay focused only on waste. Small Island States and Latin American nations are calling for ocean protection and the defense of Indigenous rights.
For Kenya, the outcome of these talks could bring real change. A strong treaty could mean less plastic arriving from abroad, more funding for recycling and cleanup projects, tougher laws against illegal dumping, and better protection for oceans, wildlife, and public health. But failure could be disastrous. If production continues unchecked, experts warn it could triple by 2060—overwhelming even the most ambitious local bans.
As the clock winds down in Geneva, the choice before negotiators is stark: agree on bold action that tackles the problem at its source, or settle for a weaker deal that barely scratches the surface. For Kenya, and for the world, the decision could determine whether we turn the tide on plastic pollution or condemn future generations to inherit a planet buried in plastic.
