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The recent negotiations for a global treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution, held in Busan, South Korea, concluded without reaching a legally binding agreement. This marked the fifth round of discussions since the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) initiated the process in March 2022, with the goal of finalizing a treaty by the end of 2024. The failure to adopt a treaty was primarily due to disagreements over production cap goals and the elimination of specific plastic chemicals and products.

Key Points of Dispute

• Production Cap Goals: A coalition of over 100 countries, including many from Africa, Latin America, and the European Union, pushed for clear production cap goals in the treaty. They argued that such measures are essential for effective regulation of plastic pollution.
• Opposition from Oil-Producing Nations: Conversely, a group of “like-minded countries” such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, and Iran opposed these provisions. They contended that regulating production cuts exceeded the original mandate set by UNEA and could lead to trade restrictions disguised as environmental measures. India and China aligned with this coalition, emphasizing their concerns regarding economic impacts.

Draft Treaty Highlights

Despite the failure to finalize an agreement, discussions produced a draft text that included both consensus points and contentious issues:

• Consensus Points:

• Proposals for banning open dumping and burning of plastics.
• Definitions for various plastic types were suggested but lacked clarity on contentious terms like microplastics.

• Contentious Issues:

• • The draft did not adequately address definitions for microplastics or recycling standards.
  • References to single-use plastics were included but faced pushback from certain nations.

India’s Position

India articulated its stance focusing on several key areas:

• Development Rights: Emphasized the need for recognizing varying responsibilities among countries in managing plastic pollution while considering their developmental rights.
• Technical and Financial Support: Advocated for provisions ensuring technical assistance and financial support for developing nations to manage plastic waste effectively.
• Opposition to Production Caps: India opposed any articles that would impose caps on polymer production, arguing that such measures were not directly linked to reducing plastic pollution.

Future Steps

The negotiations will continue with plans to reconvene in 2025. In the meantime, global plastic production is projected to rise significantly, potentially tripling by 2050 if no urgent action is taken. The ongoing dialogue will need to address both environmental concerns and developmental needs to create a balanced approach toward managing plastic pollution globally.

Global Context and Initiatives

The need for a global treaty is underscored by alarming statistics:

• Over 462 million tons of plastic are produced annually, with a significant portion contributing to pollution.
• Microplastics have infiltrated ecosystems worldwide, affecting biodiversity and human health.

Countries like Rwanda and Austria have implemented successful measures to reduce plastic waste, serving as models for global efforts. Initiatives such as the UNDP Plastic Waste Management Program in India aim to enhance waste management practices while addressing environmental impacts.