Overview

• The talks chair circulated a streamlined draft on August 13 that removes an article capping plastic production and omits any reference to chemicals of concern.
• Dozens of countries, from the EU and Panama to Pacific small island states, immediately rejected the text as unambitious or beyond their red lines.
• Negotiators remain split between a High Ambition Coalition pushing for legally binding upstream limits and a Like-Minded Group led by oil-producing states focused on waste management and recycling.
• More than 230 petrochemical and fossil fuel industry lobbyists are registered in Geneva and are widely accused of pressuring delegates to weaken upstream obligations.
• With the August 14 deadline hours away, informal consultations continue and civil society groups are urging delegates to consider voting to overcome consensus paralysis.