The world is at a tipping point in the fight against plastic pollution, with over 170 countries convening in Busan, Republic of Korea, to negotiate a legally binding global treaty. This treaty, aimed at tackling plastic pollution, comes as part of the fifth and final round of talks initiated by the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) in 2022. With the goal of reaching an agreement by the end of 2024, this initiative marks a pivotal step in addressing the escalating environmental and health challenges posed by plastic.
Why Is a Global Plastic Treaty Essential?
Plastic’s adaptability and wide-ranging applications have made it indispensable in modern life. This widespread usage has caused plastic production to skyrocket over the past few decades. The annual global plastic production more than doubled, from 234 million tonnes (MT) in 2000 to 460 MT in 2019, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Asia alone accounts for nearly half of global production, followed by North America (19%) and Europe (15%). If this trajectory continues, production could soar to an alarming 700 MT by 2040.
This growth has led to a global waste crisis. A 2023 study published in The Lancet found that less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled, while the majority lingers in the environment for 20 to 500 years before decomposing. The world currently generates 400 MT of plastic waste annually, and this figure could surge by 62% between 2024 and 2050. A significant portion of this waste leaks into ecosystems, especially rivers and oceans, where it fragments into microplastics and nanoplastics, causing profound environmental damage.
The environmental and health ramifications of plastic pollution are staggering. Scientific studies submitted to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reveal that exposure to chemicals in plastic can disrupt endocrine functions and lead to severe health issues, including cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and neurodevelopmental impairments. Furthermore, plastic pollution is devastating marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, harming countless species.
Plastic also contributes to climate change, generating 3.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. Around 90% of these emissions come from fossil fuel-based plastic production, while the remaining 10% arise during waste management and incineration. Without intervention, emissions from plastic production alone could increase by 20% by 2050, as highlighted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
India is one of the largest contributors to plastic pollution. A study published in Nature (September 2023) reports that India accounts for 20% of global plastic pollution, emitting 9.3 MT annually. This figure far exceeds that of other major polluting nations, including Nigeria (3.5 MT), Indonesia (3.4 MT), and China (2.8 MT). The global treaty thus emerges as an urgent necessity to address this escalating crisis.
What Are the Core Issues in the Treaty Negotiations?
The treaty negotiations aim to establish a comprehensive framework for managing plastic pollution throughout its life cycle. This includes regulating production, minimizing harmful additives, and improving waste management systems. However, the discussions face significant roadblocks.
- One of the most contentious issues is capping plastic production, particularly in oil and gas-rich nations and major plastic-producing countries. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Kuwait, Malaysia, and India oppose strict production limits, favoring downstream solutions such as innovative waste management.
- In contrast, countries like Rwanda, Peru, and the European Union advocate for ambitious goals. Rwanda, for instance, has proposed a 40% reduction in plastic pollution by 2040, using 2025 as the baseline year.
- The inclusion of financial mechanisms has also been a sticking point. The UNEP’s Inter-Governmental Negotiation Committee (INC) emphasizes the need for mobilizing private funding alongside public investment. However, countries differ in their approach to financing plastic waste management and sustainable alternatives.
Disagreements over banning certain plastics and chemical additives further complicate the discussions. While some countries push for stringent restrictions, others argue for evidence-based decisions, considering their economic and industrial realities.
How Is India Contributing to the Negotiations?
India has taken a nuanced stance in the treaty negotiations. While it recognizes the importance of addressing plastic pollution, it remains cautious about restrictions on polymer production, arguing that such measures fall outside the UNEA’s 2022 mandate. Instead, India advocates for pragmatic, nation-specific regulations that consider national circumstances and economic priorities.
- India has called for the inclusion of financial and technical assistance, along with provisions for technology transfer, in the final treaty.
- On the subject of harmful chemical additives, India has insisted that decisions be grounded in scientific evidence and addressed through a different decision-making process.
- While India banned single-use plastics covering 19 categories in 2022, it has emphasized that broader bans must be practical and aligned with national needs.
India also supports establishing mechanisms to assess infrastructural and financial requirements for waste management, ensuring that developing nations can meet treaty obligations without undue economic strain.
What Challenges Lie Ahead for a Unified Global Treaty?
The road to a comprehensive treaty is fraught with challenges, as countries differ significantly in their priorities and capabilities. Oil and gas-producing nations, which benefit economically from plastic production, are reluctant to support production caps. Meanwhile, developed nations and environmentally progressive countries push for ambitious targets that could set new global standards.
- Financial Disparities: Developing nations face resource constraints in implementing advanced waste management systems. Ensuring equitable financial and technical support will be critical to the treaty’s success.
- Balancing Economic and Environmental Goals: Transitioning away from plastic-intensive industries will require careful planning to minimize economic disruptions while achieving environmental objectives.
- Public and Private Sector Roles: Mobilizing the private sector to align investments with treaty goals is essential, but it requires strong regulatory frameworks and incentives.
What Could a Comprehensive Treaty Achieve?
A robust and inclusive treaty could bring transformative changes to global plastic management:
- Reduction in Plastic Production: Ambitious production caps could curb the exponential growth in plastic production, reducing its environmental footprint.
- Improved Recycling Systems: Legally binding targets for recycling and waste management could boost global recycling rates, mitigating the leakage of plastic waste into the environment.
- Health and Environmental Benefits: Eliminating harmful chemicals and reducing plastic waste would significantly improve public health and ecosystem integrity.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Reducing emissions from plastic production and incineration would contribute to broader climate goals.
- Sustainable Development: A global treaty could drive innovation and investment in sustainable alternatives to plastic, fostering a circular economy.
The treaty negotiations in Busan represent a critical opportunity to address the plastic pollution crisis on a global scale. With the world producing and discarding plastics at an unprecedented rate, the need for collective action has never been more urgent. However, the success of these negotiations hinges on bridging divides between developed and developing nations, aligning economic interests with environmental imperatives, and securing adequate financial and technical support.