The final round of talks on a legally enforceable agreement to combat the worldwide problem of plastic pollution has begun in Busan, South Korea. Here are some things to be aware of:
Countries are choosing what steps to take.
Before a treaty is signed, national delegations still have a lot of work to do. Whether or whether there will be a cap on the quantity of plastic that businesses can manufacture is the most controversial issue.
66 nations, led by Norway and Rwanda, along with the European Union, have stated their desire to govern plastic design, manufacture, consumption, and end-of-life issues in order to address the amount of plastic on Earth.
Saudi Arabia and other oil and gas and plastics-producing nations are adamantly against such restrictions.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development predicts that, barring policy changes, global plastics manufacturing would increase by 70% from 2020 to 736 million tons by 2040.
The treaty’s impact on single-use plastics must also be determined by the negotiators. They will need to decide if stopping the use of dangerous compounds in plastics will be required or just recommended.
Their shared goal is to safeguard the environment and public health.
Numerous nations concur on a few points. They seek a pact to include clauses encouraging the redesign of plastic products for recycling and reuse. To improve the management of plastic garbage, they wish to invest. In addition to helping waste pickers move to safer jobs, they hope to boost recycling rates. There must be a system in place to assist nations in covering any costs that are imposed upon them.
Indigenous leaders and environmental organizations desire a comprehensive strategy.
“Greenpeace could support an agreement that puts sensible guardrails in place to reduce the amount of plastic produced, eliminates toxic chemicals, and protects people from the uncontrolled use of plastics,” said Graham Forbes, who is leading a Greenpeace delegation in Busan. That is possible, but it will require political will and bravery not yet seen in previous discussions, he continued.
According to Frankie Orona, executive director of the Society of Native Nations, a group based in Texas, they want a treaty that addresses the underlying causes of the problem instead of only controlling plastic waste.
He stated that we must take advantage of this opportunity to leave a legacy of sustainability and non-toxicity for our children and the children of our children.
The goal of the plastics business is to prioritize reuse, recycling, and redesign.
Leaders in the industry seek a deal that rethinks plastics so they may be recycled, repurposed, and turned into new goods, so preventing plastic pollution. According to them, doing this will keep the materials out of the environment and in use.
Executives from the company stated that they would back a pact that acknowledges the positive social effects of plastics while reducing pollution.
Steve Prusak, president and CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, stated, “I would hate to miss this opportunity because we get fixated on issues that divide us rather than unite us in this purpose of ultimately addressing the issue of plastic pollution.” This is a really important moment. We sincerely hope that the outcomes of the meetings will result in globally applicable, workable policies and harmonization.
In Busan, the U.N. expects negotiators to come to a consensus.
“The treaty talks are a historic opportunity to land an agreement and course-correct, something entirely within our reach,” stated Inger Andersen, executive director of the U.N. Environment Programme.
We have the option to wait and engage in endless negotiations. However, in the meantime, she claimed, our oceans are overflowing with garbage.
___
Several private foundations provide funding for the Associated Press’s coverage of the environment and climate. All content is the exclusive responsibility of AP. Visit AP.org to find funded coverage areas, a list of supporters, and AP rules for dealing with philanthropies.
The Associated Press, 2024. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. It is prohibited to publish, broadcast, rewrite, or redistribute this content without authorization.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!