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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · 2d

An excellent article — a must-read for all #INC negotiators

Jen Iris Allan @jenirisallan.bsky.social · 2d

We make a similar argument here: that the UN won't be able to deliver ambitious plastics treaty. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

UN politics won’t deliver an ambitious plastics treaty

Negotiators again failed to finalize the text for a global plastics treaty in Geneva in August 2025. The talks exposed two harsh truths. Consensus on the treaty text, where no state formally objects, ...

www.science.org

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · 15d

“We reaffirm that all states, including in situations of occupation, are bound to fully respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law” — 🇧🇷🇨🇳🇫🇷🇯🇴🇰🇿🇿🇦 with @icrc.org announce high-level conference to uphold humanity in war in 2026 www.icrc.org/en/statement...

World leaders united in defence of international humanitarian law to uphold humanity in war

www.icrc.org

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · 16d

Building on the legacy of the #MineBanTreaty, the #ClusterMunitionsConvention, and the #TPNW, Colombia 🇨🇴 is stepping up to host a major international conference on phasing out fossil fuels. A new Oslo/Ottawa moment is on the horizon. Way to go! fossilfueltreaty.org/phase-out-co...

Government of Colombia Announces First International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels — The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, Colombia proudly announces its plan to host the First International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels in April 2026. The ...

fossilfueltreaty.org

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · 16d

After the Geneva round of the #PlasticsTreaty talks ended without a deal, troubling questions are being raised about the role played by @unep.org Executive Director Inger Andersen — and an apparent bid to topple the Committee’s elected Chair medium.com/points-of-or...

Palace intrigues

The plastics treaty talks in Geneva ended without a deal. As negotiators weigh their options about the way forward, troubling questions are…

medium.com

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Reposted by Magnus Løvold

Dr. Melanie Bergmann @melaniebergma18.bsky.social · 19d

💣 An excellent analysis of the #PlasticsTreaty 's Whistledown (aka @magnuslovold.bsky.social) of what happened behind the scenes at the end of #INC5.2. Once again, important questions are raised about the role of UNEP, which seems to support a low-ambition treaty #Plastics
medium.com/points-of-or...

Palace intrigues

The plastics treaty talks in Geneva ended without a deal. As negotiators weigh their options about the way forward, troubling questions are…

medium.com

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Reposted by Magnus Løvold

Laura Mercier @lauramercier.bsky.social · Aug 19

#PlasticsTreaty recap post Geneva 🇨🇭

Contexte Environnement @envi.contexte.com · Aug 19

☀️ Contexte fait sa rentrée ☀️

Pour notre premier briefing, retour sur les négociations internationales sur le traité plastiques qui se sont tenues du 5 au 14 août.

@lauramercier.bsky.social a couvert l'événement depuis Genève ⤵️

www.contexte.com/fr/article/e...

Après Genève, les négociations sur le traité plastiques sont dans l’impasse - Contexte

La communauté internationale a quitté la Suisse, le 15 août, comme elle avait quitté Busan huit mois plus tôt : dans la confusion et sans traité plastiques. Beaucoup d’obstruction, de fortes oppositio...

www.contexte.com

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Aug 13

If consensus falters, countries will have to decide whether to call for a vote or leave with failure.

By Friday, we’ll know if the world acted — or let the plastics crisis run on medium.com/points-of-or...

Ambassador Vayas takes the pen in high-stakes plastics treaty endgame

GENEVA, 13 August 2025 — Nobody but those directly involved knew exactly what was going on as the plastics treaty negotiations entered…

medium.com

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Aug 13

The progressive majority may seize the moment. Spoilers like 🇸🇦 and 🇷🇺 are expected to push back. Heavyweights 🇺🇸, 🇨🇳, 🇮🇳, 🇧🇷 could try to retake control.

The High Ambition Coalition’s #HAC move will be watched closely 👀

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Aug 13

The draft arrives with less than 48 hours left of the process. Financing measures may close to agreement, but the treaty’s core — what countries must do — is still up in the air. Delegates are bracing for a fight over ambition.

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Aug 13

🇺🇳 #PlasticsTreaty endgame, Geneva.
This afternoon, Ambassador Luis Vayas of Ecuador will table his own “compromise text” — a make-or-break move to break the deadlock and push the talks towards a deal to end plastic pollution. 🧵

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Reposted by Magnus Løvold

Neil Tangri @tangri0.bsky.social · Aug 10

New blog post! Here at the #plasticstreaty negotiations, some countries are arguing for a weak treaty on the grounds that plastic producing countries won't join a strong one. Here's a short rebuttal: medium.com/@climatesail... 🧵

A Strong Plastics Treaty Will Help Solve Plastic Pollution, With or Without Big Plastic Producers

In Geneva, 178 countries have gathered to finalize a treaty to end plastic pollution, but the negotiations are stalled. A supermajority…

medium.com

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Reposted by Magnus Løvold

Ronald Steenblik @ronsteenblik.bsky.social · Aug 10

… And they’re back! PlastiSphere’s host @anjakrieger.bsky.social interviews the close observer and analyst of the Plastic Treaty Negotiations, @magnuslovold.bsky.social, to get a read on where things stand half-way through this supposedly last session (INC-5.2) of those negotiations.

How (Not) to Make a Plastics Treaty - Update from Geneva

Stream How (Not) to Make a Plastics Treaty - Update from Geneva by Plastisphere Podcast on desktop and mobile. Play over 320 million tracks for free on SoundCloud.

m.soundcloud.com

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Reposted by Magnus Løvold

Anja Krieger @anjakrieger.bsky.social · Aug 9

Five days into the last round of #plasticstreaty negotiations, @magnuslovold.bsky.social and I got together to discuss where we stand. Listen here 🎧

#INC52
on.soundcloud.com/E1eFAK5VLUZF...

How (Not) to Make a Plastics Treaty - Update from Geneva

The podcast on plastic, people, and the planet by @anjakrieger. Plastics have become the basis for our modern lives, but they also pollute the planet. Will we be able to develop a healthy relationshi

soundcloud.com

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Reposted by Magnus Løvold

Rebecca Altman, PhD @rebecca-altman.bsky.social · Aug 8

Hi #INC5👋 from 1972 when the @washingtonpost.com ran this lede: “We are all just a little bit plastic now.” 😮‍💨
.
Said the White House’s Council on Env Quality, “I know this is going to be a significant future issue… potentially our next bad one.” Re: #phthalates

#plasticstreaty

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Aug 8

Six days left.
The #PlasticsTreaty talks are — again — drowning in brackets.
Take control of the pen. Or watch the deal disappear into a black hole.
medium.com/points-of-or...

Ink Wars, Episode 5.2 — Return of the Brackets

GENEVA, 8 AUGUST 2025: If the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution had a face, it would mirror mission commander…

medium.com

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Reposted by Magnus Løvold

Neil Tangri @tangri0.bsky.social · Aug 1

Nice piece on #plasticstreaty dynamics and the possible ways toward an effective treaty news.mongabay.com/2025/07/as-u...

As UN plastic treaty talks face possible deadlock, what are the ways forward?

Historically, most United Nations agreements have been reached by consensus. But based on recent events, this no longer seems likely for achieving a fully effective global treaty on plastic pollution,...

news.mongabay.com

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Jul 31

I explore how majority-driven diplomacy could rescue the plastics treaty—and multilateralism itself—in my new piece for Backchannel, a great new Substack for commentary, intelligence, and analysis on climate diplomacy, geopolitics & the energy transition.

substack.com/home/post/p-...

The Consensus Syndrome

An effective treaty on plastic pollution will require countries to break the long-standing spell of consensus — and finally put decisions to a vote.

substack.com

Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Jul 31

This could change in Geneva.

A clear majority of countries back a treaty to phase out the most harmful plastics and chemicals.

If they stand firm and use the tools they already have, they can deliver a strong, binding agreement.

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Jul 31

Majority voting is standard in global health, human rights, even nuclear disarmament.

But in environmental forums, it’s a taboo.

Consensus rules allow a handful of petrochemical and fossil fuel states to hold the planet hostage.

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Jul 31

For decades, environmental diplomacy has followed what Arild Underdal called the law of the least ambitious programme:

Agreements shaped not by the “ayes” of the majority but by the “nays” of the least committed.

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Jul 31

On 5 August, the final act of the #PlasticsTreaty negotiations resumes in Geneva.

The big question? Not what’s in the treaty, but whether negotiators will have the courage to move ahead without spoilers. 🧵

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Jul 23

The story — written by journalist @emmaanne.bsky.social — raises tough questions about the perverse incentives at play in mine action.

Emma reached out @thehalotrust.bsky.social for comment. They declined.

Read the full story: spoileralerts.substack.com/p/questionab...

Questionable incentives

Why is the CEO of the world’s largest demining organisation defending banned landmines?

spoileralerts.substack.com

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Jul 23

“It’s highly disturbing,” says the director of @minefreeworld.bsky.social

Others in the sector describe Cowan’s logic — “don’t worry, we’ll clean it up later” — as deeply cynical.

Some fear he’s legitimising landmine use in a moment of real danger.

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Jul 23

Cowan’s comments come as Finland, Poland & others signal plans to withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty.

He’s argued for so-called “non-persistent” mines — but these still harm civilians, often fail, and are banned for a reason.

Other NGOs are pushing back hard.

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Magnus Løvold @magnuslovold.bsky.social · Jul 23

Why is the CEO of the world’s largest de-mining NGO defending landmines?

James Cowan of @thehalotrust.bsky.social has publicly supported the shipment of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine — even suggesting the Mine Ban Treaty should be revised 🧵

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