The Global Plastics Treaty and Brazil from Putnam’s Two-Level Game Theory: Converging on Divergences?

Impact StatementBrazil is among the largest contributors to plastic pollution leaks into the oceans but there are several challenges for the country to compromise on international regulation on the issue.During negotiations for a Global Plastic Treaty, Brazil's strategy reflected a central concern with the architecture of the treaty's implementation, seeking to proactively address the lack of capacity as the main barrier to compliance.The insistence on these terms highlights the attempt to build a robust bridge between global obligations and domestic capabilities, ensuring that the ambition of the agreement is not lost in its execution.Our analysis reveals a two-pronged strategy: one of encouraging popular mobilization through a strong social appeal, and another of structural negotiation focused on implementation capacity, leaving open the fundamental question whether the country would support measures towards reducing plastic production or chemicals controls on plastic.