UN prepares first-ever treaty to curb plastic pollution

In the South Korean city of Busan, the final round of negotiations to reduce plastic pollution has begun. Under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), representatives from 170 countries and over 600 organizations are participating. The goal is to finalize a treaty aimed at reducing the burden of plastics on the world. However, achieving consensus will not be easy.

Two years of negotiations

The discussions in Busan, held from November 25 to December 1, mark the fifth session of the UN International Negotiating Committee (INC-5). The first round took place in Uruguay in 2022, followed by sessions in Paris, Nairobi, and Ottawa. Now, South Korea serves as the battleground for two opposing viewpoints: a broad coalition led by the EU and 66 countries advocating for drastic reductions in plastic pollution by curbing production, and major oil producers like Saudi Arabia and Russia opposing such limits.

In an attempt to inspire delegates, UN Secretary-General António Guterres remarked:
“Our world is drowning in plastic. Each year, we produce 460 million tons of plastic, most of which ends up discarded immediately. By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans. Microplastics in our bloodstream are causing health issues that we are only beginning to understand.”

What’s on the table?

The only point of agreement among participants is that the amount of plastic in the world is becoming a colossal problem. The disagreement lies in how to tackle this issue.

According to a coalition led by Norway and Rwanda, strict global controls on the design, production, and use of plastics—particularly single-use plastics—are essential. This group includes island nations like Micronesia, whose shores are already littered with tons of plastic waste. They argue for a shift away from plastics in favor of alternative, biodegradable materials.

On the other side of the table are countries advocating for tackling plastic pollution by preventing it from entering the environment, rather than limiting production. This approach is supported by industry leaders who favor transforming plastics and improving recycling methods to align with the principles of a circular economy. One particularly contentious proposal is the ban on plastic bottle caps, which many nations oppose.

Complicating matters are the recent U.S. presidential elections. Donald Trump’s victory raises doubts about the U.S. joining the treaty. According to the president-elect, the United States should increase oil production, with plastic being one of its byproducts. Even before the talks began, American delegates shifted their official stance from supporting global limits to favoring national plans to reduce plastic in the environment.

Curbing plastic pollution won’t be easy

The proposed treaty includes many controversial aspects that negotiators must address. Should single-use plastic products be completely banned, or merely restricted? Should the use of hazardous chemicals that enhance the functionality of plastics be prohibited? A significant challenge is also ensuring financial support for poorer countries to adapt to new regulations and retrain millions of people involved in waste collection worldwide.

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen openly describes this as a moment of truth, reminding participants that some synthetic materials can take up to 1,000 years to decompose in the environment, weakening ecosystems, clogging urban drainage systems, and harming human health. Without change, global plastic production could reach 736 million tons by 2040, surpassing population growth.