04-December-2024-Special-Article

5TH MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE (INC-5)

The 5th meeting of the United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan, South Korea, failed to reach a consensus on a global treaty to address plastic pollution.

Despite the UN Environment Assembly’s 2022 resolution to establish binding rules by the end of 2024, disagreements among member nations led to a delay in finalizing the treaty. A follow-up session, tentatively named “INC-5.2,” is scheduled for 2025.

Key Reasons for the Failure to Reach Consensus

Disagreements on Plastic Production Caps

• Countries such as Norway, Rwanda, and the European Union advocated for restricting the production of virgin plastic polymers to reduce environmental harm.
• Opposing nations, including Saudi Arabia and India, resisted these measures due to their reliance on petrochemicals and plastic production for economic growth.

Development Concerns

• India highlighted that imposing regulations on plastic production could hinder its developmental aspirations.
• As a significant player in the global plastic polymer market, India opposed measures perceived as detrimental to its growth aspirations.

Unrealistic Targets

• The draft treaty proposed year-wise targets to phase out single-use plastics and restrict hazardous chemicals by 2040.
• Countries like India argued that these targets would impose economic hardships and harm industrial growth, despite existing efforts to curb plastic waste through bans and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Disputes Over the Scope of the Treaty

• A significant divide emerged between nations wanting a treaty to address the entire lifecycle of plastics (from production to disposal) and those focusing solely on plastic waste.
• Kuwait criticized the broader approach, alleging it was a guise for trade restrictions and economic manipulation.

Prolonged Negotiations Amid Urgency

• The UN Environment Programme stressed the need for urgent action as ecosystems suffer from the growing accumulation of plastic waste. Prolonged debates delay effective solutions.

Why a Global Plastic Treaty is Necessary

Unprecedented Growth in Plastic Production

• Plastic production doubled from 234 million tonnes in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in 2019 and is expected to reach 700 million tonnes by 2040.
• Asia leads in plastic production, followed by North America and Europe.

Environmental Impact

• Plastics require 20 to 500 years to break down, resulting in significant waste buildup over time.
• Only 9% of global plastic waste is recycled, with 8 million tonnes entering oceans annually, severely harming marine life and ecosystems.

Human Health Risks

• Plastics contain harmful chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA), which disrupt hormonal balance and increase risks of cancer, diabetes, and reproductive issues.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

• Plastic pollution endangers marine and terrestrial species, causing entanglement and ingestion-related deaths.

Climate Change Contribution

• Plastic production contributes 3.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from fossil fuels. Emissions could rise by 37% by 2050 if current trends continue.

India and Its Plastic Problem

Scale of Pollution

• India generates 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, nearly 20% of global plastic waste production.
• Poor waste management leads to 3.5 million tonnes of plastic being released into the environment.

Challenges in Waste Management

• Inadequate infrastructure results in more uncontrolled dumping sites than sanitary landfills.
• Open burning of waste releases toxic pollutants, contributing to air pollution and health hazards.

Economic Loss

• India faces a potential loss of $133 billion in material value from uncollected plastic packaging waste by 2030.

India’s Efforts to Address Plastic Pollution

1. Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 & 2024: Strengthen regulations on plastic production, recycling, and waste disposal.
2. India Plastics Pact: A public-private initiative to create a circular economy for plastics.
3. Project REPLAN: Aims to repurpose plastic waste into useful products.
4. Un-Plastic Collective: Encourages businesses to reduce their plastic footprint.
5. GoLitter Partnerships Project: Promotes community-level initiatives to tackle plastic pollution.

Global Challenges to a Treaty

• Diverging National Interests: Developed nations advocate a lifecycle approach to managing plastics. Developing nations, reliant on plastics and petrochemicals, view such measures as economically restrictive.
• Trade Implications: Restrictions on plastic could disrupt global trade, making consensus challenging.
• Resource Gaps: Low- and middle-income countries lack the financial and technical resources to implement comprehensive measures against plastic pollution.
• Political Will: Balancing immediate economic interests with long-term environmental goals remains a significant hurdle.

Way Forward

• Building Consensus: Focus on mutual benefits, such as reduced environmental and health costs, to align nations with different priorities.
• Financial and Technical Support: Establish funding mechanisms and technology-sharing platforms to support developing nations in transitioning to sustainable practices.
• Incremental Commitments: Introduce flexible, phased targets to accommodate countries at varying stages of development.
• Global Advocacy: Leverage international pressure, public awareness campaigns, and the involvement of civil society to push for ambitious treaty terms.

Conclusion

A global plastic treaty is critical to addressing the escalating plastic pollution crisis. While disagreements persist, a balanced approach that considers the economic realities of developing nations and environmental imperatives is necessary to forge a comprehensive and effective agreement.

Mains Question:

1. “Discuss the challenges in achieving a global consensus on plastic pollution regulation and suggest measures to balance environmental sustainability with economic development.” (150 WORDS)