Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude oil exporter, was the ringleader of a group of oil-rich nations including Russia and Iran that successfully blocked efforts to limit plastic production during last month’s talks in Busan, South Korea. And there’s no reason to think they won’t try to pull the same thing this year.
“Saudi Arabia is now investing heavily in its environmental diplomacy,” said one negotiator from within the self-named high-ambition coalition, who was granted anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks. “I think there aren’t many delegations that can boast such a talented team of negotiators. [It] has the firing power.”
For nations like Saudi Arabia, whose wealth depends on oil, it’s existential. The $700-billion-per-year-and-growing plastics industry is set to become a key driver of oil demand as the world slowly switches from gas to electric modes of transport.
But a broader coalition of countries, including the EU, sees plastic pollution — which is choking the world’s oceans and waterways and finding its way as microplastics into our soil, food and bodies — as the bigger threat. They have thrown themselves into the talks in a bid to protect the environment, livelihoods and human health.
The pro-plastic army
Negotiators who have dealt with the Saudi negotiating team say it’s clear no expense was spared in putting together the experienced crew of pro-plastic avengers, which has allowed poorer oil-producing countries nervous about the plastic treaty outcomes to lean on Riyadh for direction.
Saudi Arabia has the role of “corralling the Arab group,” said the second negotiator, and “every possible technique to delay has been used.” Whenever Saudi Arabia made a point, they said, all the Gulf Cooperation Council countries would take the floor again and repeat verbatim what Saudi Arabia said. “So, you already waste one hour saying the same thing.”
