Negotiations aimed at creating a comprehensive global treaty to combat plastic pollution ended in failure on Sunday, missing a self-imposed deadline and prompting parties to agree to extend discussions. The stalemate was marked by accusations of obstruction from countries resistant to strong measures, as France’s delegate highlighted, creating a challenging environment for the nearly 200 nations assembled in South Korea. These talks were focused on the environmental crisis posed by plastic waste, which inundates ecosystems worldwide—from the peaks of the Himalayas to the depths of the ocean. Delegates acknowledged that over 90% of plastics are not recycled, while production rates are projected to triple by 2060, underscoring the urgent need for effective international cooperation in tackling plastic waste.
Indigenous groups from the U.S. and various countries across Australia and Latin America presented testimonies during the talks, emphasizing the severe impacts of plastic pollution on their communities. Many of them reported rising health issues previously uncommon, as well as contamination of their environments, illustrating how deeply ingrained plastic pollution extends beyond just environmental concerns, affecting human health and livelihoods. The complexity of these discussions is compounded by historical agreements wherein countries committed to formulating a solution by the end of 2024, but significant divisions among participant nations have prevented any substantial progress.
The disputes primarily revolve around the differing priorities of “high-ambition” nations, which advocate for legally binding agreements that aim to reduce plastic production and phase out toxic chemicals, versus “like-minded” countries, mainly oil-producing states, that emphasize waste management rather than production limits. A draft treaty text released after the discussions laid bare these divisions, with ongoing disagreements stalling negotiations despite calls for a resolute framework to address the crisis. Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso noted that “critical issues” still hinder a comprehensive agreement, and the need for additional time to broker consensus on unresolved matters was acknowledged.
The concerns voiced during the negotiations reflect a broader contextual struggle. For instance, Rwandan delegate Juliet Kabera expressed alarm at attempts to exclude binding provisions that would ensure accountability and effectiveness in a future treaty. She emphasized that any agreement lacking binding targets would be insufficient to combat the plastic crisis. On the contrary, representatives from countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran argued that addressing pollution should not equate to restricting plastic production, highlighting a fundamental disagreement on the approach to solutions.
Many delegates pointed fingers at a small group of nations for hampering progress, with French officials leading the charge in calling out these obstacles. Some countries accused those resistant to ambitious goals of “blocking the process,” which indicates a deep frustration within the negotiating parties. As nations like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran continued to oppose measures aimed at curbing production, advocates for a robust treaty raised concerns still over the potential for future talks to mirror the unsuccessful outcomes observed in Busan. Such stalemates raise critical questions about the ability of negotiations to adapt or innovate toward a functional agreement.
Environmental groups expressed skepticism about the potential for future sessions, warning that consensus-driven approaches may languish as they have in the past. Activists from organizations like Greenpeace and WWF noted that major polluting nations appear to hold disproportionate influence over negotiations, effectively blocking substantive action and impeding collective progress. Meanwhile, key players such as China and the U.S. maintained silence throughout the talks, which raises further concern that without strong engagement and commitment from the world’s leading plastic producers, achieving meaningful reduction in plastic pollution may remain a distant goal for the international community.
