UN Negotiations in South Korea Seek Global Treaty to Address Plastic Pollution

Countries remain divided on production limits and funding as talks aim to finalize a legally binding agreement by 2040.

Representatives from 175 countries are meeting in Busan, South Korea, to finalize a global treaty on plastic pollution, described as the most significant environmental agreement since the Paris Accord.
Key disputes include whether to cap plastic production, ban toxic chemicals, and establish funding mechanisms for implementation, with oil-producing nations opposing strict limits.
The 'High Ambition Coalition,' led by France, Rwanda, and Norway, advocates for a 40% reduction in plastic production by 2040, emphasizing the need to address the entire lifecycle of plastics.
Plastics, derived mostly from fossil fuels, contribute to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with production projected to triple by 2060 if no action is taken.
Environmental groups warn that without significant production cuts and improved recycling rates, plastic pollution could undermine efforts to meet climate goals, including limiting global warming to 1.5°C.