Can the world come to an agreement on plastic pollution? Everything you need to know about the South Korea talks – Firstpost

Negotiators gathered in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth and final round of negotiations to draft the world’s first legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution.

The proposed agreement aims to significantly reduce the millions of tons of plastic waste generated annually. National delegations are working with industry, scientists and environmentalists to shape the global response to this crisis.

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During the opening of the session, South Korean Environment Minister Kim Wansup said, “We must end plastic pollution before plastic pollution ends us.”

The previous four global meetings have revealed stark differences in goals and interests.

The world produces nearly half a billion tons of plastic every year—double what it produced two decades ago—with much of the plastic polluting coastlines, rivers and wildlife. New York Times reported. Researchers estimate that about a truckload of plastic ends up in the ocean every minute.

Researchers have raised concerns about microplastics found in both the environment and the human body, as well as thousands of chemicals in plastic that contaminate food, water and ecosystems. Additionally, the production and transportation of plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, with plastics being the fifth largest emitter in the world when considered as a country.

Recycling efforts are lagging, with scientists finding that only 9% of the world’s plastic waste is recycled, the report says.

Will Donald Trump’s re-election stall negotiations?

As talks in Busan reach their final stages, concerns are emerging about the possible impact of Donald Trump’s re-election on global efforts to combat plastic pollution.

So far, the United States, a leading plastics producer, has shown support for the United Nations initiative. However, Trump’s return to the White House could change the country’s position. His previous administration included rolling back environmental protections and withdrawing from key international climate agreements.

Few believe that the United States will sign the treaty at all. Opposition from oil- and gas-rich countries such as Saudi Arabia and Russia – key players in the plastics industry – has already made reaching consensus difficult. If the US backs down, the possibility of reaching a legally binding agreement by Sunday appears doubtful.

Ndiaye Cheikh Sella, a delegate from Senegal and chief of staff of the country’s environment ministry, spoke about this. New York Times“The US is really pursuing this, but if it backs down, it will be a big disappointment.”

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Let’s look at the negotiations for the agreement in South Korea:

Countries explain what actions they are taking

National delegations still have a lot to discuss before a treaty is concluded. Most controversial is whether there will be a cap on the amount of plastic companies are allowed to produce.

66 countries, plus the European Union led by Norway and Rwanda, say they want to tackle the total amount of plastic on Earth by controlling the design, production, consumption of plastic and what happens at the end of its life.

Some plastic-producing and oil-and-gas countries, including Saudi Arabia, strongly oppose such restrictions.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, global plastics production will reach 736 million tons by 2040, up 70% from 2020, without any policy changes.

Negotiators must also decide whether the treaty will reduce or eliminate the use of single-use plastics. They will have to decide whether to stop using hazardous chemicals in plastics and whether these steps will be mandatory or simply encouraged.

Their common goal is to protect human health and the environment.

There are some things that many countries agree on. They want the treaty to include provisions to encourage plastic products to be redesigned so they can be recycled and reused. They want to invest in improving plastic waste management. They want to increase recycling rates and help waste pickers switch to safer work. There is agreement that there should be a mechanism to help countries pay for everything that is required of them.

What do environmental organizations want?

Graham Forbes, who is leading the Greenpeace delegation to Busan, said his group could support an agreement that would set sensible measures to reduce the amount of plastic produced, eliminate toxic chemicals and protect people from uncontrolled use of plastic. This is achievable, but it will require political leadership and courage not yet seen in previous negotiations, he added.

Frankie Orona, executive director of the Texas Indigenous Peoples Society, said they are demanding a treaty that addresses the root causes of the crisis rather than simply managing plastic waste.

“We must seize this moment and leave a legacy we can be proud of, with a non-toxic sustainable future for all children and our children’s children,” he said.

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Plastics Industry Position

Industry leaders want to reach an agreement that will prevent plastic pollution by redesigning plastics to be reused, recycled and made into new products. They say this will keep the materials in circulation and prevent them from entering the environment.

Company executives said they would support a treaty that recognizes the benefits of plastic to society while stopping pollution.

“I would hate to miss this opportunity because we are fixated on issues that divide us rather than uniting us to finally solve the problem of plastic pollution,” said Steve Prusak, president and CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company.

“This is truly a critical time. We very much hope that what we gain from the meetings will lead to practical, implementable policies and harmonization throughout the world.”

What does the UN want?

UN Environment Program executive director Inger Andersen said the treaty negotiations were a historic opportunity to reach an agreement and course correct that was “entirely within our power.”

“We can sit and wait, negotiate, negotiate and negotiate. But at the same time, our oceans are clogged with plastic,” she said.

With data from AP