A coalition of 85 countries has emphasized that setting global targets to reduce plastic production must be central to ongoing discussions aimed at crafting the world’s first treaty on plastic waste.
Negotiations in Busan, South Korea, involving representatives from over 200 countries, failed to reach a consensus over the weekend. The talks, known as INC-5, were intended to finalize the treaty but ended in a stalemate due to disagreements over whether to include mandatory cuts in plastic production.
Graham Forbes, Greenpeace’s lead delegate at the talks, described the moment as a “historic crossroads,” noting that an impactful plastics treaty that safeguards health, biodiversity, and the climate is still attainable.
More than 100 countries supported a draft treaty that proposed binding reductions in global plastic production, the elimination of certain chemicals, and restrictions on single-use plastics. However, resistance from nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia derailed progress. These countries opposed production cuts, arguing that the issue lies in managing pollution, not curbing plastic manufacturing.
Saudi delegate Abdulrahman al-Gwaiz stated, “Addressing plastic pollution should not equate to restricting plastic production.”
Despite the setback, countries advocating for ambitious action continued pushing for legally binding measures. A declaration signed by 85 nations, including the UK, EU members, Mexico, and Greece, reaffirmed their commitment to production cuts and sustainability targets. Juliet Kabera, Rwanda’s environment authority chief, criticized efforts to remove binding provisions, calling them essential for the treaty’s effectiveness.
The U.S., which has supported voluntary reductions, faced criticism for not endorsing binding production limits. Rachel Radvany from CIEL remarked that while the U.S. acknowledged the importance of addressing production and chemicals, it failed to align with over 100 countries demanding binding measures.
Hugo Schally of the European Commission expressed disappointment with the talks’ outcome but noted the growing coalition for decisive action against plastic pollution as an encouraging sign.
UN environment chief Inger Andersen acknowledged the stark divisions among nations and stressed the need for “significant conversations” before resuming talks. While no date has been set for the next round of negotiations, Andersen emphasized the importance of finding common ground to move forward.
Saudi Arabia and its allies are pushing to delay further discussions until mid-2025. Meanwhile, the talks in Busan saw record attendance by plastic industry lobbyists, with 220 representatives from fossil fuel and chemical companies, outnumbering EU and South Korean delegates.
Analysis by CIEL revealed that several countries, including China, Egypt, and Malaysia, included industry lobbyists within their delegations, raising concerns over the influence of corporate interests on the treaty’s progress.
