Plastic Pollution Treaty Talks in South Korea Stall: What’s Next for the Planet?
Efforts to forge a groundbreaking global treaty to end plastic pollution have hit a stumbling block. After a week of intense negotiations in Busan, South Korea, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) failed to produce a finalized framework. This treaty, which aimed to be the first legally binding agreement to tackle the world’s growing plastic crisis, was supposed to be completed by the end of 2024. But as tensions over key issues boiled over, the talks adjourned with no concrete plans beyond a promise to meet again next year.
This setback comes as plastic waste continues to flood oceans, contaminate ecosystems, and threaten human health. With more than 11 million metric tons of plastic entering the oceans each year—a number that could nearly triple by 2040—time is running out to address what scientists and policymakers have called one of the planet’s most urgent crises.
A Global Gathering for a Global Problem
The INC meeting in Busan marked the largest gathering yet in the series of negotiations, with over 3,300 participants, including delegates from 170 nations and representatives from nearly 450 organizations. The ambitious goal was to hammer out the details of a treaty that could transform how plastic is produced, used, and disposed of worldwide.
However, optimism gave way to frustration as talks stretched on without resolution. INC Executive Secretary Jyoti Mathur-Filipp captured the mood in her closing remarks: “We have tested the resilience of our planet to its limit. Now is the time for us to push our own limits and honor the trust placed in us.”
Despite her call to action, progress was hindered by deep divisions over critical issues, particularly whether the treaty should impose a cap on global plastic production—a measure seen as essential by many environmental advocates.
The Production Debate: A Pivotal Sticking Point
The most contentious issue at the talks was the question of limiting plastic production. Panama proposed a compromise that avoided setting a specific cap, instead suggesting that countries adopt a global production target at a future conference of parties. While this proposal gained the support of over 100 nations, it fell short of building the consensus needed to move forward.
For many nations, capping plastic production is non-negotiable. “The nations standing up for a strong treaty may have been delayed, but they will not be stopped,” said Juan Carlos Monterrey, the head of Panama’s delegation. He added that those pushing for robust action on plastic pollution were gaining momentum, despite the setbacks.
Environmental advocates, such as Ana Rocha from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, praised the unity among countries fighting for an ambitious treaty. “This was a moment when these nations were able to stand and say, ‘No, we are not going to take it this way. We are going to fight,’” Rocha said after the talks adjourned.
However, some observers warned that compromises like Panama’s proposal risk watering down the treaty. Without enforceable limits on plastic production, critics argue, the treaty could fail to address the root causes of plastic pollution.
Transparency Concerns and Exclusion of Key Voices
Most of the negotiations in Busan took place behind closed doors, sparking criticism from environmental groups and other observers. This lack of transparency limited opportunities for stakeholders outside government delegations to shape the treaty.
One group that expressed profound disappointment was the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Plastics. In a statement released as the session closed, the forum condemned the draft treaty for excluding Indigenous voices and failing to uphold their rights. “We cannot solve this crisis without including the perspectives of those who have lived in harmony with nature for generations,” the group stated.
The exclusion of Indigenous communities underscores broader concerns about equity and justice in addressing plastic pollution. Indigenous leaders have long called for solutions that prioritize the rights of marginalized communities disproportionately affected by pollution, particularly in regions where plastic waste is dumped or incinerated.
Growing Calls for Urgency
Despite the impasse, many delegates and environmental leaders remain committed to reaching an agreement. “I haven’t heard a single delegate say they do not want this treaty,” said U.N. Environment Program Executive Director Inger Andersen.
However, Andersen acknowledged the urgency of the task ahead: “We may close this session today, but the world will still be watching tomorrow. Plastic pollution will still arrive on our shores, and so our work must continue.”
For nations like Fiji, which are on the frontlines of the plastic crisis, delays are particularly frustrating. Fiji’s Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change, Sivendra Michael, stressed the need for immediate action. “We must not hesitate. We have the opportunity to craft a treaty that becomes a lasting legacy, demonstrating our resilience and commitment to future generations,” he said.
Why the Stakes Are So High
Plastic pollution poses a growing threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Scientists estimate that by 2040, without significant intervention, plastic entering the oceans could reach 29 million metric tons annually. This has far-reaching consequences:
- Marine Life: Plastic debris harms marine species, with over 800 species known to be affected. Animals can become entangled in plastic waste or mistake it for food, leading to injury or death.
- Human Health: Microplastics have been found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. While research into their health effects is ongoing, early studies suggest potential links to inflammation, hormonal disruption, and other health problems.
- Climate Change: Plastic production and disposal are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. If unchecked, the plastics industry could account for 19% of global carbon emissions by 2040.
Related: Race Against Time: Can UN Climate Talks Deliver a Lifeline for a Heating Planet?
The Path Forward
The next round of negotiations, expected in 2024, will be crucial for determining the treaty’s fate. While no firm date or location has been set, many hope the additional time will allow for greater consensus on contentious issues like production caps and enforcement mechanisms.
Meanwhile, environmental groups are urging nations to stay ambitious. “We cannot afford to settle for half-measures,” Rocha said. “The stakes are too high.”
The Bigger Picture
The delay in Busan reflects the challenges of achieving global consensus on a problem as complex as plastic pollution. However, it also highlights the growing recognition of the crisis and the determination of many nations to act.
As the world awaits the next round of negotiations, one thing is clear: the clock is ticking. With every passing day, more plastic enters the oceans, ecosystems are further degraded, and the window for meaningful action narrows.
The Busan talks may not have delivered a treaty, but they underscored the urgency of the task ahead—and the need for bold, collective action to safeguard the planet for future generations.
