How [Not] To Make A Plastics Treaty - The Mysterious Midnight Meeting

How [Not] To Make A Plastics Treaty - The Mysterious Midnight Meeting

Author: Anja Krieger February 23, 2026 Duration: 36:26
It's 2026, and we still don't have a plastics treaty. Will we get one, what kind, and when? All of that is up in the air at this point. And after the failed round of negotiations last summer in Geneva, some strange insights emerged: During the last night, a mysterious midnight meeting took place, seemingly to take down the Chair, the person running the negotiation process between states. And - coincidence or not - later in the fall, the Chair did actually step down. Now a new Chair was just elected - showing that if countries want, they can get things done with a vote. In this episode, Magnus Lovold of NAIL, the Norwegian Academy of International Law and a long-time observer of the process, shares his research on that middle-of-the-night meeting and chats with Anja about what happened since, and what might happen next. How many times will the diplomats need to meet until they can conclude an agreement?

Anja Krieger hosts Plastisphere: A podcast on plastic pollution in the environment, a series that digs into the complex story of synthetic polymers. This isn't just a catalog of environmental damage, though that reality is confronted directly. Instead, the podcast carefully examines how these materials, foundational to contemporary life, now permeate every corner of the natural world and our own bodies. Anja guides listeners through a nuanced exploration, asking whether a sustainable coexistence is even possible. She doesn't provide easy answers but facilitates necessary conversations, bringing together researchers, activists, industry insiders, and communities on the front lines. Each episode is built on specific stories and scientific insights, moving from the deep ocean to human bloodstreams to policy halls. You'll hear about the chemistry of plastics, their journey as waste, and the cultural and economic systems that perpetuate their use. The strength of this podcast lies in its commitment to presenting a genuine spectrum of perspectives, avoiding simple blame in favor of understanding a truly global dilemma. It’s a thoughtful, sometimes surprising, and always human-centered look at one of the most defining material challenges of our time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Plastisphere: A podcast on plastic pollution in the environment
Podcast Episodes
#PlasticsTreaty Shorts: Unknown chemicals with Walter Waldman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:48
Similar to how food products contain a list of ingredients, we need to know which chemicals plastic products contain. This is not an easy task, but it would be a huge step if producers lifted the secret around the chemic…
#PlasticsTreaty Shorts: Consumption Reduction with Kristian Syberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:10
Recycling is often seen as a golden standard for minimizing plastic pollution. And while recycling definitely does play a role in the future, it should not be the first priority. Kristian Syberg, an associate professor a…
#PlasticsTreaty Shorts: Three Principles with Chris Dixon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:34
The global plastics treaty is currently being drafted by the global community - an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. One of the experts attending the meet…
What Day is Plastic Overshoot? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:29
The global plastics treaty is in the making, and the discussions around solutions to plastic pollution are gaining traction. To give you more food for thought, Anja tries out a new format, the Plastisphere Conversations…
Science over Profit - Demands for the Plastic Treaty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:57
On March 2, 2022, countries from around the world agreed to establish a global treaty to end plastic pollution. After the first meetings in Senegal and Uruguay, the discussions around the treaty are in full swing. Next,…