Athens, August 6, 2025

OR Greenpeace addresses a dramatic appeal for a Strong global condition for plasticswhile new complaints bring to light the decisive role of Petrochimian companies in undermining the UN negotiations in Geneva.

The most decisive round of UN negotiations (INC-5.2), which will run until August 14, was launched yesterday in Geneva yesterday, and is a continuation of the deadlocked talks of South Korea last December. Expectations for the conclusion of an agreement that will bring about radical changes in plastic production and management remain strong.

Petrochemical companies threaten negotiations

A report recently published by the British office of Greenpeace shows how few petrochemical companies have a huge influence on the development of negotiations. “Since the start of talks in 2022, seven companies have produced so plastic that it could fill 6.3 million garbage trucks – that is, 5.5 garbage trucks every minute”highlighted in the report. These companies –Dow; Exxonmobil; BASF; Chevron Phillips; Shell; Sabic and Ineos– They increased their production by 1.4 million tonnes and sent a total of 70 lobbyists to the negotiations, confirming their organized intervention.

According to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), the fifth round of negotiations in 2024 had 220 fossil fuel lobbyists-a number that exceeded the national EU and Member States, as well as groups of scientists or indigenous people. ‘They are the largest dealership in talks’notes the Ciel, asking serious questions about the transparency and effectiveness of the talks.

Concerns about pollution and communities

At the same time, new analysis of international Greenpeace brings to light the exposure of more than 50 million people to 11 countries in hazardous air pollution directly linked to the production of petrochemicals. Industrial facilities that make up the intermediate link in plastic production, release large amounts of volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and suspended particles, dramatically burdening the surrounding communities. Research has recorded increased concentrations of toxic pollutants and direct association with a multitude of serious diseases.

Nautical reductions in plastic production necessary

The above findings enhance the pressure on UN negotiations for a real binding condition which will address the issue at its source: limiting plastic production. Greenpeace is asking for a reduction at least 75% In world production by 2040 and perseverance in adopting regulations for transparency and excluding conflicts of interest in negotiations. At the same time, priority should be given to communities most affected by the plastic crisis and ensuring the involvement of independent scientists, indigenous populations and civil society in the formulation and implementation of the final treaty.

Dynamic wave of protest in Geneva

Just one day before the start of the negotiations, hundreds of citizens and organizations gathered in Place des Nations in Geneva, claiming a bold and legally binding agreement that will put people and the environment over large pollutants. The protest was organized by the Greenpeace Switzerland jointly with the movement Break Free from Plasticthe Gallifrey Foundation And many environmental and social groups. Participants, dressed in yellow, red and orange, symbolized the urgent nature of the crisis and the risk of uncontrolled plastic production, mainly from fossil fuels. This mobilization has highlighted the will of the citizens to protect health, rights and ecosystems from the ever -influential threat of plastic pollution.

● Photos and videos are available here and here.

● Interactive maps of petrochemicals are available here.

For more information:

Greenpeace Hellenic Office, [email protected], 2103840774