Negotiations aimed at achieving a global treaty to curb plastic pollution hit a wall during the recent UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting in Busan, South Korea, leaving over 100 nations disappointed. Amongst rising concerns over environmental degradation, a small group of petrochemical-producing countries resisted comprehensive measures aimed at reducing plastic production.
Key Issues Facing Negotiators
- Plastic Production Limits: More than 100 countries, including many developing nations, advocated for binding targets to cap plastic production. However, this proposal met fierce opposition from oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, who prefer to focus solely on plastic waste management.
- Financial Support for Developing Countries: There was significant discussion regarding financing to assist developing nations in implementing any treaty.
- Toxic Chemicals in Plastics: Delegates also raised alarms about regulating harmful chemicals found in plastic products, highlighting that more than 3,200 harmful chemicals exist.
Urgent Call for Action
Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, acknowledged that fundamental disagreements remain. “It is clear that there is still persisting divergence,” she stated. As plastic production is projected to triple by 2050, the urgency for a cohesive global response is undeniable.
Resistance from Key Players
Countries like Saudi Arabia argued against production caps, emphasising, “If you address plastic pollution, there should be no problem with producing plastics, because the problem is the pollution, not the plastics themselves.” This stance reflects a broader strategy among a few nations that seek to delay progress on what many consider a critical environmental issue.
The Road Ahead
Despite the postponement, there’s a palpable sense of urgency among many negotiators. As Panama’s delegation head Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez remarked, “Every day of delay is a day against humanity.” The next session, dubbed INC 5.2, has yet to be scheduled, but expectations are that future discussions will need to be more decisive.
As the world grapples with rising plastic pollution—evident from microplastics infiltrating ecosystems and human bodies alike—negotiators are facing a race against time. A comprehensive, legally binding treaty has never been more critical.