A global treaty against plastic pollution is possible. This week, the final round of discussions on the topic began in Busan, South Korea.
More than 170 countries are gathered for the fifth time to sign a legally binding global agreement to address this threat. This happens just hours after the chaotic closure of COP29 in Baku.
“This conference is much more than drafting an international treaty. It is humanity mobilizing against an existential threat,” stated Ecuadorian diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso, who presides over the negotiations, at the opening.
“The decisions we make in the next seven days will mark history,” he added.
### Treaty against plastic pollution: progress in negotiations
Plastic pollution is so widespread that it has been detected even in clouds, in the deepest ocean trenches, and in virtually all parts of the human body, including the brain and breast milk.
While everyone acknowledges the existence of the problem, opinions diverge radically on how to combat it.
Delegations in Busan still have a week to agree on delicate issues such as the limit on plastic production, the possible ban on toxic chemicals, or the funding of measures to be included in the treaty.
But there are disagreements on several key issues. “A lot is at stake, but there is also a lot of commitment in that room,” acknowledged Inger Andersen, head of the United Nations Environment Program. “Nobody wants a bad agreement,” she stated.
### Two sides in the Busan negotiations
On one side, negotiators recognize the High Ambition Coalition (HAC), which includes numerous African, European, and Asian states. These countries aim for a treaty that covers the entire “lifecycle” of plastics, from production to waste.
The HAC advocates for global goals that compel reducing production and waste. They also fight to impose changes in manufacturing to facilitate reuse or recycling.
On the other side, mainly large oil producers like Russia and Saudi Arabia, seek the treaty to only cover waste management.
The divisions paralyzed the four previous rounds of negotiations, resulting in a “totally unworkable” treaty project of over 70 pages, according to general opinion.
To unlock the situation, Valdivieso drafted an alternative project. The text emphasizes areas of agreement, such as the need to promote reusable plastics.
The Ecuadorian diplomat scored an initial victory on Monday by getting the Busan negotiations to be based on his simplified project. Valdivieso reminded delegations that they have only 63 hours of work in this “crucial week” to reach an agreement.
### 90% of plastic is not recycled
In 2019, the world produced around 460 million tons of plastic, a number that doubled since 2000, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
More than 90% of plastic is never recycled, and over 20 million tons end up in nature each year.
Plastic also accounts for 3% of global carbon emissions, as it is produced using fossil fuels.
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