The negotiations on a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution at the United Nations have hit a roadblock, with countries failing to reach a consensus. Over 100 countries are in favor of restricting plastic production, while a few are only willing to take action on plastic waste.
According to reports from Reuters, the fifth session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) held in Busan, South Korea had planned to achieve a legally binding global treaty, which was supposed to be the final round of meetings on the issue. However, countries are deeply divided on the basic scope of the treaty, only agreeing to postpone key decisions and delay the convening of the meeting known as INC 5.2.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, stated, “Clearly, differences still exist.”
The most contentious issues include whether to limit plastic production, how to manage plastic products and harmful chemicals, and how to provide funding to help developing countries implement the treaty.
According to data from the provider Eunomia, China, the United States, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia were the top five global producers of polymers in 2023.
According to reports from RFI, Lucien Chabason, a researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations in France, analyzed that the Chinese authorities have not shown proactive engagement. The United States played a relatively proactive role in the negotiations, not only supporting limits on plastic production in the treaty but also calling for restrictions on the use of plastic additives.