The global negotiations on plastic have failed! What will we do in the future?
The hope of eliminating plastic from the world is fading! The global negotiations on plastic have failed due to conflicts between oil-producing countries.
The “Global Plastics Treaty” is a legally binding international measure aimed at addressing plastic pollution, with the goal of solving the plastic pollution problem comprehensively and managing plastics throughout their life cycle by 2024.
The latest negotiations on global plastic have left those in favor of managing plastics throughout their life cycle disappointed. A conflict arose between countries advocating for the end of plastic use and oil-producing countries that disagreed, warning that halting plastic use would negatively affect global development.
However, a negotiator from Kuwait stated in the final hour of the talks: “The purpose of this treaty is to end plastic pollution, not plastic itself, but plastics have immense benefits for society worldwide.”
Since 1950, over 8 billion tons of plastic have been produced globally, with less than 10% of it being recycled. As a result, plastic waste flows into the seas and oceans, heavily impacting marine life and ecosystems. Many marine species have significantly decreased in number.
95 countries, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, several African countries, and South American nations, support reducing plastic production. The lead negotiator from Mexico stated at the final meeting: “We bear the expectations of our people who hope we will protect them and the environment from the plastic pollution crisis.”
“We must do everything we can to meet this expectation.”
As these words were spoken, applause echoed through the room. However, oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, and Russia strongly opposed the proposal. Currently, the world is moving towards cleaner energy, but plastic production is still growing well in the market. This may explain why oil-producing countries are concerned about reducing or halting plastic production.
“Efforts to end plastic use rather than address plastic production risks undoing global progress and worsening economic inequalities,” said Salman Alajmi, Kuwait’s representative.
After the failure of these talks, environmental charities and scientists were deeply disappointed and remained concerned about the influence of the fossil fuel industry.
This failure will delay the implementation of actions to end plastic pollution. The next round of talks is expected to occur next year to reach an agreement under the treaty.
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