Nations negotiate key issues in plastic pollution treaty talks in South Korea

Nations are meeting in Busan, South Korea, to negotiate a treaty aimed at reducing plastic pollution. Key issues include whether decisions will be made by consensus or majority vote, which remains unresolved and could disrupt talks. Disagreements also exist over plastic production limits. Some countries advocate for binding reductions and phasing out certain single-use plastics, while oil-producing nations oppose mandatory cuts, preferring voluntary targets. Another point of contention is the treatment of harmful chemicals in plastics. The High Ambition Coalition seeks global measures to restrict these chemicals, but some nations and industries resist this approach. Additionally, developing countries emphasize the need for financial support to implement any treaty.