The 5th round of negotiations (INC-5) for a Global Plastics Treaty under the framework of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded in Busan, South Korea, at the beginning of December. This pivotal event gathered representatives from over 150 countries alongside stakeholders from industry, civil society, and science, all united by a shared mission to end plastic pollution—a threat to environmental health, biodiversity, and the climate.
Dr. Dana Kühnel, an ecotoxicologist from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and a key partner and Work Package 4 leader in the PlasticsFatE project, played an active role in these discussions as part of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty. Her presence underscored the importance of evidence-based research in shaping a treaty that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal and recycling.
Progress Amid Challenges
While a final global treaty has not yet been agreed upon, the discussions in Busan marked a significant step forward.
The negotiations focused on four key areas:
Plastic production and the use of hazardous chemicals
Waste management, emissions, and pollution
Implementation, compliance, and monitoring mechanisms
Financing, technology transfer, and international cooperation
Countries in the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution—including the EU and Germany—advocated for bold measures, such as limiting primary plastic production, banning harmful single-use plastics, and restricting hazardous chemicals. However, opposing views from some oil-producing nations pushed for a narrower focus on waste management and recycling, leaving critical issues unresolved.
The UFZ researchers, including Dr. Kühnel, have emphasized that addressing plastic pollution requires tackling its root causes throughout the entire lifecycle of plastics. A treaty that only focuses on waste management and recycling would be insufficient, especially as global plastic production is predicted to double by 2050, exacerbating environmental and health challenges.
Financial Hurdles and Path Forward
One contentious issue during INC-5 was financing the treaty’s measures. This includes funding for small island nations severely impacted by plastic pollution and improving infrastructure for sustainable drinking water supplies in the Global South, which currently relies heavily on single-use plastic packaging. Without a clear and ambitious framework, many countries remain hesitant to commit funds, creating a significant hurdle for progress.
Although no agreement was finalized, two undesirable outcomes were avoided: the complete collapse of negotiations and the adoption of a weak treaty with minimal impact. This leaves room for optimism as discussions continue into INC-5.2, scheduled for spring or summer 2025.
Looking Ahead: Key Priorities for an Effective Treaty
As negotiations progress, three critical elements must be included in the final treaty:
Limiting plastic production to curb the exponential growth in plastic output.
Banning harmful plastic products, particularly single-use plastics that contribute significantly to environmental pollution.
Replacing hazardous chemicals in plastics with safer alternatives, addressing the risks posed by thousands of potentially toxic substances currently in use.
Dr. Kühnel and other scientists from the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty remain cautiously optimistic. The extended timeline provides an opportunity for further dialogue, ensuring that the final treaty is comprehensive and capable of addressing the plastics crisis in its entirety.
The PlasticsFatE project is proud to have partners like Dr. Kühnel on board, whose expertise and commitment drive meaningful progress toward global solutions for plastic pollution.
For more information, visit the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty.
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