100+ Nations Fail To Ratify Global Plastic Pollution Treaty

• Thomas Nelson
• December 4, 2024
• Uncategorized
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Efforts to establish a global treaty to combat plastic pollution have reached an impasse. At the fifth U.N. Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting in Busan, South Korea, more than 100 nations pushed for decisive action to cap plastic production, but resistance from a small group of oil-producing countries left negotiations deadlocked.

Without agreement on key issues, the meeting ended without a legally binding treaty, postponing critical decisions to a future session.

A Divide on Tackling Plastic Pollution

The INC-5 meeting highlighted a stark divide between nations on how to address the plastic pollution crisis. Most countries supported capping plastic production as a crucial step, while petrochemical-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, opposed such measures. These nations instead focused on addressing plastic waste rather than production, drawing criticism from environmental groups and many negotiators.

Proposals on the table reflected these divisions. Panama, with the backing of over 100 countries, called for a global target to reduce plastic production, aiming to curb pollution at its source. However, a competing proposal favored voluntary measures and excluded production caps, prompting concern that it would fail to address the crisis effectively.

Progress at the talks was hindered by procedural hurdles. The U.N.’s consensus-based approach gave dissenting nations significant power to block agreements, and Saudi Arabia used this mechanism to stall negotiations. The exclusion of voting from the process—a decision made during earlier negotiations—further complicated efforts to reach compromises.

Senegal’s delegate, Cheikh Ndiaye Sylla, criticized the decision to forego voting, calling it a “big mistake” that allowed procedural tactics to derail meaningful progress.

With no consensus on key issues, negotiators postponed decisions to a later session, INC 5.2. Some participants expressed doubts about the likelihood of significant breakthroughs in future talks.

The Broader Impact of Plastic Pollution

The urgency of addressing plastic pollution cannot be overstated. Plastic production is on track to triple by 2050, with devastating consequences for ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Microplastics have already been detected in the air, water, fresh produce, and even human breast milk.

The problem extends beyond pollution: plastics contain over 3,200 harmful chemicals, which pose significant risks to women and children, according to the U.N. Environment Program. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive and immediate action to reduce plastic production and manage its harmful effects.

Delegates at the INC-5 meeting emphasized the growing stakes of inaction. Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, head of Panama’s delegation, warned, “Every day of delay is a day against humanity. Postponing negotiations does not postpone the crisis.” His statement underscored the pressing need for global cooperation to address the issue.

Many negotiators echoed the sentiment that voluntary measures alone would not suffice. Juliet Kabera, director general of Rwanda’s Environment Management Authority, called for a treaty that is “fit for purpose and not built to fail.”

Comparisons to Climate Negotiations

The challenges faced at INC-5 mirror those seen at the recent COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. There, Saudi Arabia also blocked language about transitioning from fossil fuels, using similar tactics to stall progress. Critics described these actions as holding global proceedings “hostage,” highlighting the difficulty of reaching consensus on critical environmental issues.

As the world grapples with the growing plastic pollution crisis, the need for a binding and effective treaty is more urgent than ever. Environmental groups and negotiators stress the importance of compromise and inclusivity in future discussions.

However, with deep divisions between nations and the high stakes of inaction, many remain uncertain whether the next INC session will achieve meaningful progress. For now, the crisis continues to escalate, leaving millions hoping that global leaders will soon find common ground to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.