A treaty without heart: Why the plastic pollution agreement fails our most vulnerable communities

After ten days of intense negotiations that ended on 15 August, I witnessed something deeply disappointing.

The future of a crucial global treaty against plastic pollution hangs in the balance. Deep divisions over whether actions should be mandatory or voluntary have threatened progress. In the early hours on 15 August, delegates rejected the chair's draft agreement as a basis for further negotiations. The most alarming aspect: this draft ignores human rights entirely.

In the words of our chief negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey, this was not about "reaching a political settlement," but about "achieving an agreement on plastic pollution." However, the text increasingly diverged from this goal. What we saw was a capitulation to petrostate interests, endangering our planet and the rights of vulnerable communities.

How can we talk about justice and equity when this document falls short and ignores those most affected? We must continue raising our voices and insisting that key points are addressed properly.

A treaty that fails the most vulnerable

The preamble briefly mentions the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Indigenous rights, but offers no binding commitment. States have no obligation to respect, protect, and ensure these rights while fighting plastic pollution. Are health, water, food, and a healthy environment not basic human rights threatened by plastic contamination?

The Just Transition article should be central to human rights protection. However, it omits Indigenous peoples entirely.

Most concerning is the complete absence of African descendant peoples throughout the document. Do their lives matter less? They also disproportionately suffer from plastic pollution and environmental racism.

Panama's negotiators advocated for a treaty committed to human rights, including Indigenous peoples and African descendant people.

The church's role in this struggle

We do not lose hope that a plastic-free world is possible. We will continue to fight, resist, and recommit, encouraged by the gospel of Jesus. The gospel calls us to build just relationships and defend the most vulnerable. The church has a fundamental role in this struggle.

We encourage the church to have impact:

• From the grassroots: promoting environmental awareness and responsible consumption
• In organizations: supporting projects that empower Indigenous peoples and vulnerable communities
• Among leaders: advocating for policies that protect environment and human rights
• In each of us: understanding this is everyone's responsibility

Moved by faith in Jesus, we work for a plastic-free earth.