THE CONTEXT: The fifth round of global negotiations in Busan, South Korea, to develop a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution ended without consensus. These talks were part of the United Nations Environment Assembly’s (UNEA) 2022 resolution to address plastic pollution by 2024. Despite progress on certain issues, disagreements over production caps and other contentious provisions prevented the adoption of a final treaty.
THE BACKGROUND:
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- UNEA 2022 Mandate: The UNEA resolution aimed to develop a legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution, covering the entire lifecycle of plastics.
- Timeline: Five rounds of negotiations have been held since March 2022, with the goal of finalizing the treaty by the end of 2024.
- Draft Text: The draft text discussed in Busan included points of agreement and contention, forming the basis for future negotiations.
THE ISSUES:
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- Production Caps and Elimination Goals: A coalition of over 100 countries (African nations, Latin American nations, and most of the European Union) demanded binding production cap goals and the elimination of certain harmful plastic chemicals and products. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, and Iran (supported by India and China) opposed production cuts, arguing they exceeded UNEA’s mandate. Kuwait criticized such provisions as advancing trade restrictions under the guise of environmental action.
- Divergent Interpretations of UNEA’s Resolution: The 2022 UNEA resolution aimed to address plastic pollution across its lifecycle, including production, consumption, and disposal. Over 100 countries, led by Rwanda, Norway, and the EU, argue that capping plastic virgin output is essential to reduce environmental harm. Oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Kuwait, supported by India and China, argue that the focus should remain on managing plastic waste rather than restricting production.
- Economic Concerns of Petrochemical Economies: Saudi Arabia insists that regulating production would unfairly target oil-producing economies while ignoring the root issue of waste mismanagement. India argues that polymer production is not directly linked to pollution and opposes global targets for reducing plastic production.
- Scientific Evidence Supporting Production Caps: Studies reveal that global plastic production is projected to triple by 2050, severely undermining waste management efforts if left unchecked. Without production caps, advanced recycling systems will be overwhelmed, and microplastics will continue infiltrating ecosystems, food chains, and even human bodies.
- Lack of Consensus on Definitions: The ongoing negotiations for a global treaty on plastic pollution have revealed significant contention surrounding key definitions, particularly microplastics, nanoplastics, primary plastic polymers, recycling, single-use plastics (SUP), and short-lived plastics. These definitions are crucial for establishing effective regulatory frameworks and ensuring cohesive international action against plastic pollution.
- Disagreements Over Single-Use Plastics and Short-Lived Plastics: Different countries adopt varying definitions based on local consumption patterns and waste management capabilities. For instance, while some regions may classify certain recyclable items like PET bottles as single-use, others may not due to their potential for recycling. This inconsistency hampers global efforts to regulate SUP effectively.
THE WAY FORWARD:
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- Establish a Science-Policy Interface: Create an Intergovernmental Panel on Plastic Pollution, similar to the IPCC for climate change, to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments. Incorporate the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty into the negotiation process to ensure evidence-based decision-making. Mandate periodic scientific reviews to update the treaty based on the latest research findings.
- Implement a Phased Approach to Production Caps: Introduce a tiered system of production reduction targets, allowing countries to adjust their plastic production gradually. Set differentiated timelines for developed and developing countries to reach these targets, acknowledging varying economic dependencies on plastic production. Establish a global plastic production monitoring system to track progress and ensure accountability.
- Create a Global Plastic Pollution Fund: Establish a dedicated fund financed by developed countries and major plastic producers. Implement a plastic pollution fee on virgin plastic production to generate additional resources for the fund. Ensure transparent fund governance with representation from both contributing and recipient countries.
- Develop a Comprehensive Circular Economy Framework: Mandate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes globally, making manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products. Establish international standards for plastic product design that prioritize recyclability and reusability. Create a global marketplace for recycled plastics to incentivize recycling and reduce dependence on virgin plastics.
- Implement a Multi-stakeholder Governance Model: Create a compliance committee representing governments, industry, civil society, and scientific experts. Develop a transparent reporting mechanism for countries to share progress and challenges in implementing the treaty.
THE CONCLUSION:
While high-production economies resist curbs on virgin polymer production, achieving consensus will require equitable financial mechanisms, technological support for developing nations, and a phased approach to implementing production caps. An inclusive treaty must address production and waste challenges while ensuring fairness across all countries.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:
Q. What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? 2018
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. Examine India’s stance on the global plastic pollution treaty. How does it balance environmental concerns with developmental priorities?
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