Negotiators fail to reach agreement on global plastic pollution treaty in South Korea

Negotiators in South Korea failed to reach an agreement on a global treaty to combat plastic pollution, disappointing Canada’s environment minister. Talks, which were expected to conclude the fifth round of negotiations, will resume in 2025. Countries remain divided on key issues, including reducing global plastic production and regulating toxic chemicals. Canada and over 100 nations support a treaty with binding targets, while some oil and plastic-producing countries oppose these measures. Recent international summits on climate change and biodiversity also fell short of necessary commitments. Canada’s own ban on certain single-use plastics is currently under legal review.