Countries engaged in negotiations for a global treaty aimed at reducing plastic pollution were unable to reach a consensus, with over 100 nations advocating for limits on production, while a few oil-producing countries were only willing to focus on addressing plastic waste.
The fifth UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting, held in Busan, South Korea, was intended to conclude with a legally binding global treaty.
Nevertheless, the countries remained significantly divided on fundamental aspects of the treaty and agreed only to defer crucial decisions to a future gathering.
“While I noticed areas where there was potential agreement, positions remain divergent in others,” stated Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the meeting’s chair.
One option suggested by Panama, which garnered support from over 100 nations, aimed to establish a global target for reducing plastic production, while another proposal did not include such production caps.
The divisions were evident in a revised document presented by Mr. Valdivieso, which could have laid the groundwork for a treaty but was marked by numerous options concerning the most contentious issues.
A few oil-producing nations were willing only to address plastic waste.
“A treaty that… relies solely on voluntary measures would not be acceptable,” remarked Juliet Kabera, Director General of Rwanda’s Environment Management Authority.
“It’s time for us to take this seriously and negotiate a treaty that is truly effective and not destined to fail.”
A limited number of petrochemical-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, have strongly resisted attempts to lower plastic production and have employed procedural tactics to delay negotiations.
“There has never been any consensus,” said Saudi Arabian delegate Abdulrahman Al Gwaiz. “There are a few articles that seem to have made it (into the document) despite our ongoing insistence that they are beyond the scope.”
According to data provider Eunomia, China, the United States, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia were the top five primary polymer-producing nations in 2023.
If these divisions had been bridged, the treaty would have represented one of the most significant environmental protection agreements since the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The postponement follows the tumultuous conclusion of the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, which took place just days prior.
During the Baku summit, nations established a new global target to mobilize $300 billion annually for climate finance, a figure viewed as grossly inadequate by small island states and numerous developing countries.
The climate negotiations were further complicated by procedural maneuvers from Saudi Arabia, which objected to language that reaffirmed a previous commitment to transition away from fossil fuels.
Some negotiators expressed that a few countries were hindering the proceedings, avoiding necessary compromises by leveraging the UN’s consensus process.
Senegal’s National Delegate, Cheikh Ndiaye Sylla, described the exclusion of voting during the negotiations as “a big mistake,” referencing an agreement made during last year’s second round of talks in Paris.
Plastic production is on track to triple by 2050, with microplastics having been detected in air, fresh produce, and even human breast milk.
A 2023 UN Environment Programme report identified over 3,200 concerning chemicals found in plastics, highlighting that women and children are particularly vulnerable to their toxic effects.
Despite the postponement, numerous negotiators expressed a pressing desire to resume discussions.
“Every day of delay is a day against humanity. Delaying negotiations does not defer the crisis,” remarked Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, head of the Panamanian delegation.
“When we reconvene, the stakes will be even higher.”
