Context:
In a significant step toward global environmental governance, representatives from over 170 countries are convening in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth and final round of negotiations aimed at establishing a legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution, including its detrimental effects on marine environments. This initiative follows a commitment made during the 2022 UN Environmental Assembly, which set a goal to finalize the treaty by the end of 2024.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Background on Global Plastic Treaty Efforts
- Urgency for a Global Plastic Treaty
- India’s Position on the Treaty
Background on Global Plastic Treaty Efforts
- UNEA Resolution 2022: Initiated the process to combat plastic pollution globally, setting up an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) tasked with creating a legally binding instrument to regulate plastic production and usage.
- Global Agreement: By 2022, 175 nations committed to forging a legally binding agreement by 2024, aiming to mitigate the environmental impact of plastics.
Urgency for a Global Plastic Treaty
- Rising Production: Plastic production has surged, with forecasts suggesting a jump to 700 million tonnes by 2040.
- Environmental Impact: With plastic taking up to 500 years to decompose and less than 10% currently recycled, waste is escalating, significantly harming ecosystems and human health.
- Emissions Concerns: Plastics contributed 3.6% to global emissions in 2020, a figure that could rise by 2050 under current trends.
- India’s Contribution: Notably, India leads with 20% of global plastic emissions.
Negotiation Dynamics
- Scope of Negotiations: The focus is to develop comprehensive regulations that cover the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal.
- Key Proposals: Proposals include banning certain plastics, implementing binding recycling targets, and regulating chemical additives.
- Just Transition: There is a concerted effort to ensure that the transition impacts workers and communities fairly, supporting those affected by changes in the plastic production sector.
Divergent National Views
- Production Cap Controversy: There is a divide among nations, with some oil and gas-rich countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, and India opposing strict caps on production. They prefer focusing on enhancing waste management.
- Support for Stringent Measures: Countries like Rwanda, Peru, and the EU are pushing for ambitious targets to reduce pollution drastically.
India’s Position on the Treaty
- Opposition to Production Limits: India contends that restrictions on polymer production go beyond the initial mandate set by the UNEA resolution.
- Advocacy for Support: India stresses the importance of financial aid, technology transfers, and technical support as central elements of the treaty.
- Regulatory Approach: India argues for a scientific basis in deciding on harmful chemicals in plastics, preferring to manage such issues domestically.
- Pragmatic Phase-Out: While India implemented a ban on certain single-use plastics in 2022, it advocates for a pragmatic, nationally-driven phase-out strategy in the treaty.
- Infrastructure and Financial Mechanisms: Emphasizes the need for a clear assessment of infrastructure needs and reliable funding for effective waste management.
-Source: The Hindu
