In a significant setback for global environmental efforts, negotiations aimed at establishing a landmark treaty to combat plastic pollution have collapsed after more than two years of discussions. Delegates from over 200 countries gathered in Busan, South Korea, for what was intended to be a conclusive round of talks, but conflicting interests hindered progress.
The crux of the problem lies between nearly 100 nations advocating for a comprehensive commitment to phase out plastic use, and a coalition of oil-producing countries who argue that such actions threaten economic growth and development. "The objective of this treaty is to end plastic pollution not plastic itself,” remarked Kuwait’s negotiators during the tense final discussions, highlighting the deep divides in perspective.
In 2022, world leaders acknowledged the urgent need for a global treaty due to the devastating impacts of plastic on oceans and marine life. Alarmingly, estimates from the United Nations indicate that since 1950, more than nine billion tonnes of plastic have been manufactured, yet less than 10% has been recycled. This has resulted in millions of tonnes entering oceans, endangering wildlife and contributing to climate change given plastic is a derivative of fossil fuels responsible for significant global emissions.
The latest assembly was supposed to address these pressing issues but concluded without reaching consensus on pivotal topics like Article 6, which focuses on whether to mandate reductions in plastic production or merely enhance recycling efforts. A united front of 95 countries—including the UK, the EU, and various South American nations—advocated strongly for binding production cuts, while oil-rich states, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia, vehemently opposed such measures.
Indian delegates further stressed that cutting production commitments could infringe on their developmental rights. Environmental organizations and scientists expressed frustration over the collapse of talks, citing the undue influence of the fossil fuel industry as a significant hurdle.
A report by InfluenceMap revealed extensive intervention from the petrochemical sector during the negotiation process, with over 90% of their input opposing production cuts. In contrast, major corporations invested in sustainable practices, such as Unilever, Mars, and Nestlé, have supported global regulatory frameworks that aim to mitigate plastic issues.
With an impending sense of urgency, experts warn that without a treaty, plastic waste in rivers and seas could triple by 2040. As nations prepare to reconvene next year for further deliberations, conservationists like Eirik Lindebjerg from WWF suggest that the group of ambitious countries should take unilateral steps towards their treaty aspirations. The sentiment echoes that a robust collective effort remains vital to tackling the growing plastic pollution crisis effectively.
