Nations gather in South Korea to finalize treaty on global plastic pollution

Negotiators are meeting in Busan, South Korea, to finalize a treaty aimed at tackling global plastic pollution. This is the fifth round of discussions, with representatives from 66 countries, the EU, and various stakeholders participating. Previous meetings highlighted significant disagreements on goals. While many nations seek to control plastic production and waste, some plastic-producing countries oppose limits on manufacturing. The U.S. has shifted its stance, now open to global production reduction targets. The treaty aims to address the growing plastic crisis, with projections showing plastic production could rise significantly by 2040. Recent research suggests that effective policies could nearly eliminate plastic pollution, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive global agreement.