Magnus Løvold
@magnuslovold.bsky.social
Multilateral processes, treaty-making and diplomacy with NAIL and Lex International. Writing for Spoiler Alert and Points of Order.
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...
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
August 13, 2025 at 12:14 PM
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...
By Friday, we’ll know if the world acted — or let the plastics crisis run on medium.com/points-of-or...
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 👀
The High Ambition Coalition’s #HAC move will be watched closely 👀
August 13, 2025 at 12:14 PM
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 👀
The High Ambition Coalition’s #HAC move will be watched closely 👀
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.
August 13, 2025 at 12:14 PM
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.
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-...
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
July 31, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
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.
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.
July 31, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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.
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.
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.
But in environmental forums, it’s a taboo.
Consensus rules allow a handful of petrochemical and fossil fuel states to hold the planet hostage.
July 31, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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.
But in environmental forums, it’s a taboo.
Consensus rules allow a handful of petrochemical and fossil fuel states to hold the planet hostage.
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.
Agreements shaped not by the “ayes” of the majority but by the “nays” of the least committed.
July 31, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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.
Agreements shaped not by the “ayes” of the majority but by the “nays” of the least committed.
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...
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
July 23, 2025 at 12:24 PM
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...
Emma reached out @thehalotrust.bsky.social for comment. They declined.
Read the full story: spoileralerts.substack.com/p/questionab...
“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.
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.
July 23, 2025 at 12:24 PM
“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.
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.
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.
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.
July 23, 2025 at 12:24 PM
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.
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.