Why the world needs a global plastic treaty

Sub : Env

Sec: Int Convention

Context:

In 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) agreed to negotiate a legally binding global treaty aimed at tackling plastic pollution, including marine pollution.
Representatives from more than 170 countries are set to meet in Busan, Republic of Korea, for the fifth and final round of these negotiations. The aim is to finalize the treaty by the end of 2024.

Surge in Plastic Production:

Global plastic production doubled from 234 million tonnes (mt) in 2000 to 460 mt in 2019. By 2040, this is projected to rise to 700 mt, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)..

Need for a Global Plastic Treaty:

Plastic takes between 20 to 500 years to decompose. Less than 10% of plastic produced is recycled. About 400 mt of plastic waste is generated annually, a figure expected to increase by 62% between 2024 and 2050.
In 2020, plastic production accounted for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If current trends continue, emissions from plastic production could grow by 20% by 2050.
Plastic waste pollutes rivers and oceans, breaking down into microplastics, and poses serious health risks, including endocrine disruption, cancer, and reproductive disorders.
Marine and land ecosystems are also severely impacted by plastic pollution.

India’s contribution:

India is responsible for about 20% of global plastic pollution, emitting 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.

Negotiation focus:

Life-cycle approach: Negotiations are centred around creating global rules to address plastic pollution across its entire life cycle, from production to disposal and recycling.
There is debate on imposing production caps. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and India have opposed stricter production restrictions, advocating for downstream measures like improved waste management and sustainable plastic use.
Some countries, including Rwanda, propose ambitious targets for reducing plastic pollution, such as a 40% reduction by 2040 from 2025 levels.

India’s Position:

India opposes any limits on the production of polymers, stating that such measures are beyond the scope of the UNEA’s mandate.
India advocates for the inclusion of provisions for financial and technical support in the treaty.
India stresses that any decisions regarding harmful chemicals in plastics should be based on scientific evidence and regulated at the national level.
The country has already banned single-use plastics in 2022.