The fifth and final round of negotiations for a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution kicked off in South Korea on Monday. A recent University of Leeds study revealed that 57 million tons of plastic pollution are generated annually worldwide. The UN Environment Programme’s Inger Andersen urged negotiators to adopt a strong treaty, emphasizing that no one wants to see plastic litter in natural spaces.
The talks, running until Nov. 30, bring together 66 countries, including Norway, Rwanda, and the European Union, alongside industry representatives, scientists, and environmentalists. Island nations like Micronesia, facing high levels of plastic waste, are pushing for greater attention to unsustainable plastic production.
Environmental groups and Indigenous leaders are advocating for a treaty that addresses the root causes of the crisis, while industry leaders focus on redesigning plastics for reuse and recycling to reduce waste. The goal is to turn a 2022 ambition into a legally binding agreement that curbs plastic pollution worldwide.
