Norway puts UN project funding on hold raising fears for plastics treaty talks

"The largest donor to the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) has paused funding to the body before its revised budget on 12 May, triggering concern among member states and NGOs. The news could carry significance for the already troubled plastic treaty negotiations being overseen by Unep."

"Unep's executive director, Inger Andersen, met the director general of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) the week before last and was told that all [funding] agreements are on hold pending budget decisions, according to sources. Norway has been the largest overall donor to Unep in recent years, contributing approximately $12m (9m) annually to the fund over the three years to 2025."

"The Guardian has obtained an email sent to NGOs by Norad advising them that it was postponing a funding call aimed at projects to combat plastic pollution in developing countries. The programme is valued at 4m-6m a year and, according to Norad, the funding can be used for projects that support countries in the plastic treaty process."

"Any risk to funding could not come at a worse time for the negotiations sustained funding would reinforce Norway's longstanding leadership toward an ambitious plastics treaty. Norway is the co-leader with Rwanda of the high ambition coalition at the plastic treaty negotiations."

Norway, the largest donor to UNEP, paused funding ahead of a revised budget decision on 12 May, prompting concern among member states and NGOs. The pause adds uncertainty for UNEP’s ability to function as the UN faces severe financial pressure. Norway’s contributions have included about $12m annually to UNEP over the three years to 2025, plus additional funding to related environmental efforts. Norway also postponed a funding call for projects to combat plastic pollution in developing countries, valued at $4m–$6m per year. The timing is critical because countries have struggled since 2022 to agree on how to manage plastic production and use, with no agreement after six rounds of talks. Sustained funding is viewed as important for advancing an ambitious plastics treaty.

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