#104 Global Treaty on Plastic Waste: What Went Wrong in Geneva
Sign up to the Greenpeace petition to stop lobbyists being part of the negotiations: https://act.gp/4fGLSqU
Welcome back to The Keto Vegan Podcast, I'm Rach your host — and no, today we’re not talking seitan or macros. We’re talking plastic. Yep, the kind clogging our oceans, food chains, and apparently now our lungs too. This week’s episode unpacks what happened in Geneva at the UN plastics summit — where nearly 200 countries came together to save the planet… or at least that was the plan. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well.
But before we dive into the lobbyist chaos and treaty collapse, if you're loving the mix of planet, science and a bit of sass, make sure you follow, subscribe, and share the pod. Every little bit helps amplify these conversations — and keeps us plastic-free and proud.
Key Takeaways
The Geneva Plastics Treaty Talks CollapsedDespite high hopes, the 11-day UN summit ended with no agreement, thanks to deep divides between countries pushing for action and petrochemical giants resisting change.
Production Caps Were the Main BattlegroundNations like Rwanda and the EU pushed for caps on plastic production — but were blocked by oil-rich states and corporate lobbyists fighting to protect their profits.
Two Draft Treaties, Zero AgreementOne ambitious, one watered-down — neither treaty moved forward. The US and allies flatly refused to accept binding rules on production and toxic chemicals.
Lobbyists Hijacked the NegotiationsBig Plastic sent in their troops — lobbyists from Shell and INEOS — to water down commitments and stall progress, raising serious questions about who’s writing our environmental policies.
Where Do We Go From Here?Some nations, like Colombia, are moving ahead solo. China’s hints at lifecycle reform are promising. And grassroots pressure — from us — is more vital than ever.
No Treaty Is Better Than a Weak OneAs frustrating as the collapse is, accepting a toothless deal would’ve been worse. Real change will need grit, persistence and, yes, probably more chaos before progress.
Best Moments
“You can’t keep mopping up the floor if the tap stays on.”
“It's like letting tobacco companies write the smoking laws.”
“Waiting for consensus isn't going to cut it this time.”
“They said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll tidy up my room eventually’ — while continuing to chuck pizza boxes out the window.”
“Geneva was supposed to be the place where the tide turned. Instead, it was where the tide pulled us under.”
“Plastic pollution isn't waiting for anyone — and neither should we.”
#PlasticCrisis #UNPlasticTreaty #GenevaSummit #SayNoToPlastic #BigPlasticExposed #KetoVeganPlanet #EcoActivism #SustainableLiving #LobbyistTakeover #PetrochemicalPollution #ZeroWasteLiving #EnvironmentalPodcast #ClimateCrisis
Valuable ResourcesFor an extensive list of foods with their carb, fat and protein count, go here: https://www.rachelgtherapy.co.uk/1-what-why-and-howFor a keto-vegan start-up menu and shopping list go here: https://www.rachelgtherapy.co.uk/1-what-why-and-how
Host BioRachel, a once morbidly obese individual, experienced a remarkable body transformation through the keto diet. Later, she embraced veganism and now shares her extensive knowledge and obsession with carbs in vegan proteins on The Keto Vegan podcast. Her goal is to demonstrate the simplicity of combining the keto diet with a vegan lifestyle.Resources: https://theketovegan.lifeWatch here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheKetoVegan/podcastsFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/821471059206067Email: [email protected]
