UN Summit Stalls on Plastic Pollution Treaty Despite Majority Support

Efforts to negotiate a global treaty on plastic pollution remain stalled after the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting concluded in Busan, South Korea. Despite vocal support from most nations for ambitious measures, the talks failed to produce a binding agreement. This impasse highlights the growing urgency to address the global plastic crisis, which has severe environmental, economic, and health consequences.

Majority Calls for Binding Action on Plastic Pollution

The negotiations centered on proposals for binding upstream measures, which would regulate plastic production, design, and lifecycle management. Rwanda’s lead negotiator, Juliet Kabera, received widespread applause during the final plenary for her call to adopt an ambitious treaty with global bans and phaseouts of harmful plastics and chemicals.

A coalition of 95 countries, led by Mexico, echoed this sentiment, refusing to accept any treaty lacking enforceable measures. According to a 2021 report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), banning hazardous plastic products and promoting sustainable alternatives are critical to reducing pollution and aligning with global climate and biodiversity goals.

The proposed measures align with findings from Science Advances, which suggest that reducing plastic production by 55% by 2040 could prevent over 700 million tonnes of plastic from entering ecosystems.

The Cost of Inaction

Since discussions on a plastic pollution treaty began more than 1,000 days ago, over 800 million tonnes of plastic have been produced. Approximately 30 million tonnes have leaked into oceans during this period, according to Nature Communications, causing devastating harm to marine life and ecosystems. Microplastics have now been detected in over 90% of the world’s seabirds, according to a study by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Additionally, a Nature Reviews Earth & Environment study highlights the toxic impact of plastic additives, which pose serious risks to both human and planetary health.

Eirik Lindebjerg, WWF’s Global Plastics Policy Lead, condemned the lack of progress: “It is unjust that those suffering the most from plastic pollution are denied the opportunity to find solutions by those profiting from unregulated production.” His comments reflect growing frustration with the minority of nations obstructing consensus, many of which have strong ties to the petrochemical industry.

Global Implications: Environmental and Economic Impact

• Environmental Degradation
  Plastic pollution threatens some of the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems, from coral reefs to Arctic ice. According to a 2022 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 14 million tonnes of plastic enter aquatic ecosystems annually, with devastating consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Economic Costs
  The financial burden of plastic pollution is staggering. A 2020 OECD report estimated that plastic waste costs the global economy $13 billion annually in cleanup efforts and ecosystem damage. The economic impact disproportionately affects low-income countries, where waste management systems are underfunded and ill-equipped to handle the influx of plastic waste.
• Human Health Risks
  The human toll of plastic pollution is increasingly apparent—microplastics in drinking water, air, and food pose potential long-term health risks. UNEP’s Turning off the Tap report emphasizes that the toxic chemicals in plastics contribute to non-communicable diseases such as cancer and hormonal disruptions.

A Way Forward: Leveraging the Progressive Majority

Despite the stalemate, most nations continue to push for binding measures. Rwanda and Mexico have emerged as key leaders, advocating for a treaty that includes:

• Global bans on problematic plastics and chemicals
• Robust product design standards to promote reuse and recyclability
• A financial mechanism to support low-income nations in treaty implementation

These goals align with recommendations from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which emphasizes the role of circular economy principles in tackling plastic pollution. Their research shows that transitioning to sustainable plastic use could save $200 billion annually by 2040 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%.

Aligning with Broader Global Goals

The inability to reach a consensus at INC-5 jeopardizes progress on broader international commitments, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically:

• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Tackling plastic pollution is integral to achieving sustainable production patterns.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Plastic waste is a major threat to marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities dependent on aquatic resources.

The World Bank’s Marine Plastics Series underscores the importance of international cooperation, estimating that every $1 invested in waste management generates $2 in economic benefits through cleaner ecosystems and healthier communities.

What’s Next: INC-5.2 and Beyond

As the international community looks to 2025, the draft treaty contains promising elements but lacks the necessary enforcement mechanisms. Erin Simon, Vice President of Plastic Waste and Business at WWF, expressed hope for the next round of negotiations: “The current draft has the ingredients for success, but we can’t back down on delivering a legally binding text that sets us on a course to eliminate plastic pollution.”

Experts suggest the following steps to move forward:

• Adopt a Treaty-of-the-Willing Approach:
  Countries committed to binding measures could form a coalition to implement regional agreements while global negotiations continue.
• Leverage Innovative Solutions:
  Emerging technologies, such as chemical recycling and alternative materials, could support treaty goals and reduce reliance on virgin plastics.
• Increase Private Sector Engagement:
  Corporations must play a central role in reducing plastic waste through sustainable packaging innovations and transparent supply chains.

The Cost of Delay Is Too High

The global plastic crisis requires immediate and ambitious action. While INC-5 highlights the challenges of achieving consensus, it also underscores the overwhelming support for decisive measures. Failure to act threatens ecosystems and risks human health and economic stability.

For policymakers, businesses, and advocates, the next steps will determine whether the international community can rise to meet this pressing challenge—or continue to fall short.