Countries deadlock on UN treaty on plastic pollution

Countries have deadlocked on a United Nations treaty on plastic pollution, according to The Associated Press.

The treaty, with an aim of tackling worldwide plastic pollution, faced a hurdle due to negotiators not being able to get past the question of whether it should bring down the planet’s overall plastic while also having mandatory controls for toxic chemicals that are used in the making of plastics, according to the AP.

Treaty negotiations had been occurring in Busan, South Korea, in the last week, and an agreement came about by negotiators on Monday for more conversations in the following year, the AP reported.

More than 100 countries hoped to have the plastics treaty reduce production and address cleanup and recycling, with some previously saying there is a need to focus on specific chemicals, which clashed with the desires of countries that make plastic, according to the AP.

A study from earlier this year found that five companies are behind a quarter of the world’s plastic waste. Eleven percent of global branded plastic pollution came from Coca-Cola alone, according to researchers. Other major producers included PepsiCo, Nestlé, Danone and Altria.

One notable obstacle that nations have faced in trying to pull the plastics treaty together is the requirement for the agreement of all nations on proposals that become a part of it, according to the AP.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Topics

Countries fail to reach consensus on plastic pollution treaty

Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution failed to reach agreement on Monday, amid divisions over whether to cap production.
NBC News - 7h
Europe wants ministers at plastic pollution treaty talks

Yahoo News - Nov. 7
Hope of breakthrough at international plastic treaty talks after two-year deadlock

‘Important shift’ made in global attempts to address plastic pollution though final treaty text yet to be agreed. Pressure from an increasingly large bloc of countries has offered hope that a ...
The Guardian - 3d
What to know about the plastic pollution treaty talks in South Korea

A last round of negotiations on a legally binding treaty to address the global scourge of plastic pollution has opened in Busan, South Korea
ABC News - 6d
Deep divides in U.N. negotiations for treaty to curb plastic pollution

Negotiators are far apart as the United Nations tries to work out the world's first treaty to curb plastic pollution. Issues creating roadblocks include limiting new manufacturing of plastic and ...
CBS News - 5d
Plastics lobbyists make up biggest group at vital UN treaty talks

Fossil fuel and chemical industry representatives outnumber those of the EU or host country South Korea. Record numbers of plastic industry lobbyists are attending global talks that are the last ...
The Guardian - 5d
Can countries agree to "end the world's plastic pollution crisis"?

The U.S. is among 175 nations haggling over a treaty to reduce the vast quantity of plastic pollution that ends up in our food, water and even our bodies.
CBS News - 3d
What to know about the plastic pollution crisis as treaty talks conclude in South Korea

The world’s nations will wrap up negotiating a treaty this weekend to address the global crisis of plastic pollution
ABC News - 1d
Plastic pollution treaty talks are ending in South Korea with no agreement, negotiators plan to meet again next year

Plastic pollution treaty talks are ending in South Korea with no agreement, negotiators plan to meet again next year
ABC News - 23h