The global negotiations in Busan, South Korea, aimed at tackling plastic pollution, ended without a legally binding treaty. Despite being the fifth and final round of talks since March 2022, countries failed to reach consensus on regulating plastic production. The outcome highlights the challenges of balancing environmental protection, economic interests, and development goals in addressing the worldwide crisis of plastic pollution.
Key Points from the Busan Talks
- Countries could not agree on production caps or restrictions on certain plastic chemicals.
- This was the fifth negotiation round since the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) launched the process in 2022.
- UNEA had set a target to finalize a treaty on plastic pollution by the end of 2024.
- Discussions will continue in 2025, with a follow‑up session tentatively called “INC‑5.2.”
- The draft text included bans on open dumping and burning, but contentious issues like microplastics and recycling remain unresolved.
Why Did the Talks Fail?
The negotiations collapsed primarily over disagreements on production cuts:
- Pro‑cap coalition: Over 100 countries, including African, Latin American nations, and most of the EU, demanded production limits and bans on harmful plastics.
- Opposition coalition: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, Iran, backed by India and China, rejected production cuts, arguing they exceeded UNEA’s mandate to address plastic pollution.
- Kuwait claimed production caps were disguised trade restrictions.
- India and China emphasized development rights and opposed linking polymer production directly to plastic pollution.
Draft Treaty Text: Areas of Consensus and Conflict
- Consensus: Ban on open dumping and burning, clear definitions of plastics, references to single‑use plastics.
- Conflict: No agreement on definitions of microplastics, nanoplastics, or primary polymers.
- Future Scope: Options to reduce plastic use remain in the draft, forming the basis for the 2025 session.
India’s Stance on Plastic Pollution Treaty
India’s position reflected its dual priorities of development and environmental protection:
- Differentiated Responsibilities: Highlighted the right to development for nations.
- Support for Developing Countries: Called for financial and technical assistance to manage plastic pollution.
- Scope of Treaty: Urged clarity to avoid overlap with existing environmental agreements.
- Finance and Technology Transfer: Insisted on support mechanisms in any binding treaty.
- Opposition to Production Cuts: Rejected limits on polymer production, arguing they are not directly linked to plastic pollution.
- Plastic Pollution Fee: Opposed fees based on polymer production.
- Balanced Approach: Stressed the need to align pollution prevention with sustainable development goals.
Why a Global Plastic Pollution Treaty is Needed
- Surge in Production: Global plastic output doubled from 234 million tonnes in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in 2019, projected to hit 700 million tonnes by 2040.
- Decomposition & Recycling: Plastics take 20–500 years to decompose; less than 10% are recycled.
- Waste Generation: Annual plastic waste is 400 million tonnes, expected to rise 62% by 2050.
- Water Pollution: Plastics leak into rivers and oceans, breaking down into harmful microplastics and nanoplastics.
- Health & Ecosystem Threats: Chemicals in plastics cause endocrine disruption, cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and harm marine and terrestrial species.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Plastics contributed 3.6% of global emissions in 2020, projected to rise 20% by 2050.
- India’s Role: India is the largest contributor to global plastic pollution, responsible for 20% of emissions (9.3 million tonnes annually).
India’s Efforts to Tackle Plastic Pollution
- Ban on Single‑Use Plastics: Restrictions on bags, cups, plates, cutlery, and straws.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Manufacturers made accountable for waste management.
- Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016 & 2024): Framework for recycling, reporting, and certification of biodegradable plastics.
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: National campaign including plastic waste collection.
- Plastic Parks: Specialized zones for recycling and processing.
- Beach Clean‑Up Drives: Government and NGOs working to reduce coastal plastic pollution.
Conclusion
The Busan talks underscore the global struggle to finalize a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. While consensus exists on banning harmful practices like open dumping, disagreements over production cuts and responsibilities remain unresolved. India’s stance reflects the tension between development needs and environmental obligations. With plastic waste rising and its impact on health, ecosystems, and climate intensifying, a global treaty on plastic pollution is urgently needed to ensure coordinated, fair, and effective action.
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