Plastic treaty talks conclude without agreement in South Korea

International talks aimed at creating a treaty to combat plastic pollution ended without an agreement in South Korea. Canada’s environment minister, Steven Guilbeault, expressed disappointment but remains hopeful for future negotiations planned for next year. Countries remain divided on key issues, including whether the treaty should set global targets for reducing plastic production. Canada and over 100 other nations support binding controls, while some oil and plastic-producing countries oppose these measures. Canada's own ban on certain single-use plastics is currently facing legal challenges. In 2020, Canada produced over 7 million tonnes of plastic, with only 5% recycled, highlighting the ongoing plastic waste crisis.