UN Plastic Pollution Talks Collapse
The world had been watching closely as the sixth round of UN negotiations on a landmark treaty to end plastic pollution drew to a close last week. These talks were meant to deliver a binding agreement to curb one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Instead, once again, they ended in disappointment.
Despite days of extended negotiations, countries were unable to bridge the gap between two opposing positions: a coalition of around 100 nations pushing for meaningful limits on plastic production, and oil-producing states advocating instead for a focus on recycling.
This deadlock is more than just a political stalemate. It is another reminder of how hard it is for humanity to look past immediate, competing interests and unite around the shared responsibility of protecting our planet. Plastic pollution does not respect borders or economies. It accumulates in our rivers, oceans, and soils. It drifts through the air we breathe. Scientists have now found microplastics inside the human body, with growing evidence of harmful impacts on both people and wildlife.
For small island nations like Palau, which spoke on behalf of vulnerable states, this failure is especially devastating. As they powerfully put it: “We are repeatedly returning home with insufficient progress to show our people. It is unjust for us to face the brunt of yet another global environmental crisis we contribute minimally to.” Their words should remind us all that those least responsible often suffer the most.
Why We Must Act Locally
While global agreements stall, the urgency of tackling plastic pollution only grows. At Balanced Horizon, we believe that every action taken at a local level matters. Scotland’s coastlines are living proof of both the scale of the challenge and the potential for collective action.
Here’s how we are responding:
Large scale beach cleans – We bring together volunteers to tackle some of the most heavily polluted stretches of Scotland’s coast, removing tonnes of plastic and marine litter every year.
Education at Source – From school visits to community workshops, we help people understand where marine litter comes from and how small changes in daily life can stop pollution before it reaches our seas.
Collaboration – We are proud to work alongside countless brilliant organisations across Scotland who are out cleaning beaches every week. Our close network in East Lothian ensures our local beaches are consistently clean.
How You Can Support This Work
Change on the scale required needs both global agreements and grassroots action. If international negotiations take longer than the planet can afford, it becomes even more important to strengthen the work happening on the ground:
Donate – Support our work directly through our donate page. Every contribution helps us run more cleans, expand our education programmes, and keep Scotland’s coastlines alive with action.
Get Involved – Join a beach clean, bring friends, or help spread the word. Every pair of hands makes a difference.
Stay in Touch – Sign up for our newsletter to hear about upcoming events, the latest progress, and inspiring stories from across Scotland.
The collapse of these global talks is a setback, but it does not mean change is impossible. Each of us can be part of the solution. Together, we can show what progress looks like — from the shores of Scotland to communities around the world.