The EU Commission has committed to combating global plastic pollution as final negotiations begin in South Korea. Photo: Oceana
The European Union is spearheading efforts to finalise a global treaty aimed at tackling plastic pollution as negotiations enter their final stage at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan, South Korea.
The talks, which run until 01 December, seek to establish legally binding measures to address the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution.
The EU remains steadfast in its commitment to concluding the treaty by the end of the year, joining G20 partners and 65 countries in the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution.
Global Challenge, Urgent Action
Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Maroš Šefčovič, stressed the gravity of the issue:
“Plastics are choking our oceans, polluting the environment, and harming people’s health and livelihoods. If business as usual continues, plastic production will triple by 2060. We need coordinated global policies to change plastic production and consumption patterns in a way that delivers for people and the planet.”
The EU’s priorities for the treaty include measures to address unsustainable levels of plastic production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the plastics industry, and promote circular and sustainable product designs.
Key EU Proposals
- Comprehensive Rules on Plastic Production: The EU advocates for global obligations to reduce primary plastic polymer production, eliminate hazardous chemicals, and phase out problematic products such as certain single-use plastics.
- Banning Microplastics: The EU calls for a ban on intentionally added microplastics to prevent their release into marine and terrestrial environments, critical for combating biodiversity loss.
- Polluter Pays Principle: Major producers would bear financial responsibility for plastic pollution under the proposed treaty, alongside extended producer responsibility schemes and enhanced waste management systems.
- Circular Economy: Countries would be required to adopt rules promoting circular and sustainable product designs, fostering innovation while mitigating environmental impacts.
The EU also emphasised the need for a just transition, considering differing national circumstances in implementing the treaty.
Scale of the Plastic Crisis
According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), global plastic production has reached 400 million tonnes annually, with only 9% recycled and 12% incinerated. The remaining plastic accumulates in landfills, rivers, and oceans, creating long-lasting environmental and health challenges. An estimated 30 million tonnes of plastic already pollute the oceans, a figure projected to worsen without swift intervention.
A High-Stakes Moment
The treaty negotiations in Busan come after the G20 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a global plastics agreement during their summit in Rio de Janeiro earlier this month. The EU’s involvement underscores its leadership in combating plastic pollution as part of its Circular Economy Action Plan under the European Green Deal.
The treaty is expected to set a framework for legally binding measures to end plastic pollution by 2040, creating a pivotal moment for global environmental governance. As the EU and other nations strive for consensus, the world watches with anticipation for a groundbreaking agreement that could redefine humanity’s relationship with plastics.