Ambitious promises, heated debates, calls for collective action and agenda lists packed with pressing issues—deliberated by diplomats in tailored suits—form the daily script of United Nations sessions, often culminating in inconclusive discourses. A similar story unfolded during the week-long talks in November 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea, where delegates from 175 countries gathered for what was supposed to be the final round of negotiations on the much-discussed Global Plastics Treaty, a first-of-its-kind legally binding instrument aimed at taking a collective stand against the escalating plastic pollution crisis.

It began with a single, haunting image—the now-infamous video of a turtle writhing in pain as a plastic straw was pulled from its nostril (Brooks-Pollock, 2015). Its agonized expression posed an unspoken but urgent question to humanity: Plastics or Planet? The distressing footage, captured by a marine biologist, went viral, shocking the world and serving as a wake-up call for policymakers, environmentalists, and the so-called custodians of the planet. The growing outrage pushed global leaders to acknowledge the devastating consequences of plastic pollution and to take meaningful action.

The urgency of these discussions is underscored by the alarming scale of plastic pollution. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), global plastic production has reached 400 million tons annually (UN Environment Programme, 2024a). Without intervention, plastic waste is projected to double by 2040 (World Bank, 2022). Similarly, scientists warn that if current trends persist, plastic will outweigh marine species in the ocean by 2050 (Raubenheimer & McIlgorm, 2017). Recognizing the environmental and economic toll of unchecked plastic production, world leaders saw the necessity of a unified global response—leading to negotiations for a legally binding treaty.

What are the key provisions of the draft treaty?

According to Brown (2024), there are several:

• Legally binding caps on plastic production – A bone of contention, with various countries pushing for production limits while petrostates resist them.
• Banning single-use plastics – Targeting plastics that are not biodegradable and recyclable.
• Global design standards for plastics – Aims to improve recyclability, reduce microplastic leakage, and encourage sustainable alternatives.
• Financial and technical assistance for struggling nations – Ensuring equitable participation and action in all countries for curtailing the plastic problem.
• Monitoring and enforcement mechanisms – Proposes compliance measures, though debate continues over whether they should be legally binding or voluntary. 

All these ambitious provisions warrant immediate responses, yet vested interests of some nations are blocking the way.

The Road to Busan

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) began its mandate in late 2022 with the goal of finalizing a global plastics treaty by the end of 2024 (Cowan, 2024). The first session (INC-1), held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from November 28 to December 2, 2022, laid the groundwork for discussions. The second session (INC-2), held in Paris, France, from May 29 to June 2, 2023, examined core treaty elements, including production limits and the balance between global mandates and national discretion. The third session (INC-3), held in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 13 to 19, 2023, highlighted deep divisions over prioritizing plastic production regulation or focusing solely on waste management.

The fourth session (INC-4) in Ottawa, Canada, from April 23 to 29, 2024, was considered critical as it was the penultimate round before the treaty’s expected conclusion (Brown, 2024). Discussions focused on setting global targets for plastic reduction and financial mechanisms for developing nations. However, disputes persisted over production caps and accountability structures. The fifth and final session (INC-5) in Busan, Republic of Korea, from November 25 to December 1, 2024, ended without a definitive agreement. Contentious debates over legally binding commitments and enforcement mechanisms underscored the complex political and economic interests at play, necessitating further deliberations (Brown, 2024).

A Deeply Divided Negotiating Table: Who Stands Where?

High Ambition Coalition: Pushing for Stronger Regulations

Co-chaired by Norway and Rwanda, this coalition, including Canada, Germany, France, and the UK, advocates for stringent global measures to limit plastic production and phase out hazardous additives (Volcovici, 2024). They argue that voluntary national actions are inadequate, calling for enforceable global standards with compliance mechanisms. While their approach presents the most effective solution, internal disagreements over financial and technical support for developing nations delayed consensus on implementation strategies.

Like-Minded Group: Prioritizing Economic Interests over Environment 

Led by Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia, this bloc, also including China and India, prioritizes economic considerations over environmental regulations (Volcovici, 2024). They oppose production caps, instead advocating for enhanced waste management and recycling, failing to address the root causes of plastic pollution. Backed by powerful petrochemical industries, these nations have consistently resisted binding global measures, leading to negotiation deadlocks. Their insistence on voluntary commitments has been widely criticized for prioritizing short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability.

What’s at Stake if the Treaty Fails?

A failure to reach an enforceable agreement will have deadly repercussions for the environment, economies, and public health. The UNEP annual report warns that plastic pollution could contribute to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation with microplastics now being found in human blood, lungs, and even placental tissue (UN Environment Programme, 2024b). The report also stresses that plastic-related greenhouse gas emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons annually by 2060 if current trends persist. Furthermore, the economic burden of plastic pollution—including damage to fisheries, tourism, and infrastructure—could exceed 0 billion per year by 2040. Developing nations, already struggling with waste management, will bear the brunt of these impacts, reinforcing global inequalities.

The Road Ahead

While the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations have yet to yield a conclusive agreement, the urgency of the crisis leaves no room for complacency. The deadlocks speak volumes about the priorities of some nations and hypocrisy of others. Yet the ship carrying the hopes of ‘Turtles in Pain’ and fragile ecosystems wounded by plastics is slowly and steadily overcoming tides like Busan and making its way towards the sunniest of shores. However, the world cannot afford failure—whether it be the absence of a treaty or the adoption of one as fragile as plastic itself. 

All eyes are now on world leaders, and the choice is clear – Planet or Plastics…?

References

Brooks-Pollock, T. (2015, August 15). Sea turtle winces in pain as a straw is removed from its nose in video. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/sea-turtle-winces-in-pain-as-a-straw-is-removed-from-its-nose-in-video-10457154.html   

Brown, H. C. (2024, November 25). Plastics treaty negotiators meet in Busan in hopes of reaching compromise. Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/plastics-treaty-negotiators-meet-in-busan-in-hopes-of-reaching-compromise-e378fdd0

Cowan, E. (2024). Event Ethnography to study the global negotiations on the treaty to end plastic pollution: Dataset from the first session of negotiations (INC-1). Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-024-00914-4

Raubenheimer, K., & McIlgorm, A. (2017). Is the Montreal Protocol a model that can help solve the global marine plastic debris problem? Marine Policy, 81, 322–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2017.04.014

UN Environment Programme. (2024a). Taking on plastic pollution. https://www.unep.org/annualreport/2024/stories/taking-plastic-pollution

UN Environment Programme. (2024b). We are all in this together. Annual Report 2024. https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/47082/UNEP-Annual-Report-2024.pdf

Volcovici, V. (2024, April 23). Global plastic treaty talks are happening. What do stakeholders want? Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/what-do-countries-companies-want-global-plastic-treaty-talks-2024-04-22/

World Bank. (2022). Where is the Value in the Chain? Pathways Out of Plastic Pollution. doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-1881-3. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO.

~The views represented in this blog post do not necessarily represent those of the Brandt School.~