Negotiations fail on Global Plastics Agreement

On December 1, over 170 countries concluded talks in Busan, South Korea, on a global deal to tackle plastic pollution. Despite efforts, no agreement was reached, and discussions will continue next year. German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke called the opposition to the deal disastrous but noted that most countries want a meaningful agreement, with support for it growing.

At the final session on December 1, several initiatives were discussed. The most popular, proposed by Panama and supported by about 100 countries, aims to reduce global plastic production. Key obstacles included restrictions on plastics, regulation of harmful chemicals, and funding for developing countries to implement the agreement.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosted the session from November 25 to December 1, aiming to finalize the document. Annual plastic production currently stands at 460 million tons, much of which becomes waste, and it is expected to triple by 2050.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a video message, stressed the need for urgent action to address the growing plastic crisis. He called for an agreement covering the entire lifecycle of plastics, reducing single-use products, improving waste management, and developing alternatives. The agreement should ensure all countries use modern technologies, protect the environment, and support vulnerable communities, including those relying on waste collection for their livelihoods.

Microplastics continue to be found in food, water, air, and even the human body, highlighting the urgent need for global action.