• Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution failed to reach agreement on December 2.

• Over 3,300 delegates — including Members representing more than 170 nations and Observers from more than 440 organisations — met in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5). 

• The INC-5 meeting, intended to yield a legally binding global treaty, was meant to be the final one. However, countries remained far apart on the basic scope of a treaty and could agree only to postpone key decisions and resume talks, dubbed INC 5.2, to a later date.

• The most divisive issues included capping plastic production, managing plastic products and chemicals of concern, and financing to help developing countries implement the treaty.

• An option proposed by Panama, backed by more than 100 countries, would have created a path for a global plastic production reduction target, while another proposal did not include production caps.

• Negotiators have reached a greater degree of convergence on the structure and elements of the treaty text, as well as a better understanding of country positions and shared challenges. But it is clear there is persisting divergence in critical areas and more time is needed for these areas to be addressed.

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEP) resolution requested the Executive Director of UNEP to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, to begin its work during the second half of 2022, with the ambition of completing its work by the end of 2024. 

The INC began its work during the second half of 2022, with the ambition to complete the negotiations by the end of 2024. The first session of the INC (INC-1) took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from November 28 to December 2, 2022, followed by a second session (INC-2) from May 29 to June 2, 2023 in Paris. The third session (INC-3) marked the process' midway point from November 13 to 19, 2023 in Nairobi, followed by the fourth session (INC-4) from April 23 to 29, 2024 in Ottawa, Canada. The fifth session (INC-5) was held from November 25 to December 2, 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea.

The INC will resume discussions in 2025, with the venue yet to be announced.

Plastic pollution

• Plastic pollution is a global problem. 

• Unlike other materials, plastic does not biodegrade. This pollution chokes marine wildlife, damages soil and poisons groundwater, and can cause serious health impacts.

• More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only once. Of that, less than 10 per cent is recycled.

• An estimated 19-23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas annually. That is approximately the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers all together.

• It is estimated that each person on the planet consumes more than 50,000 plastic particles per year, and many more if inhalation is considered.

• Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic material typically smaller than five millimetres.

• From the deepest points of the ocean to the food and water we consume, microplastics are a growing threat to human and planetary health.

• These tiny plastic particles are present in everyday items, including cigarettes, clothing and cosmetics.

• Microplastics enter the ocean from marine plastic litter breaking down, run-off from plumbing, leakage from production facilities and other sources.

• When ingested by marine life such as birds, fish, mammals and plants, microplastics have both toxic and mechanical effects, leading to issues including reduced food intake, suffocation, behavioral changes and genetic alteration.

• In addition to entering the food chain through seafood, people can inhale microplastics from the air, ingest them from water and absorb them through the skin. 

• Microplastics have been found in various human organs, and even in the placenta of newborn babies.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store