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The final round of negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty is underway in Busan, South Korea. Delegates from over 175 nations have gathered to craft a legally binding agreement targeting the life cycle of plastics.<\/p>\n
With global plastic production soaring to nearly 460 million tonnes annually\u2014a staggering 200-fold increase since 1950\u2014action is urgently required to address environmental and health concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlastic production is set to double by 2040,\u201d warned a representative from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). \u201cIf left unchecked, this growth could consume a quarter of the remaining carbon budget needed to limit global warming to 1.5\u00b0C.\u201d<\/p>\n
This alarming trajectory, combined with the revelation that only 9% of all plastic waste has ever been recycled, highlights the critical importance of these negotiations.<\/p>\n
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that 19 million tonnes of plastic enter natural ecosystems annually, endangering wildlife and polluting waterways worldwide.<\/p>\n
The treaty\u2019s draft contains proposals to address production, design, and disposal. However, sharp disagreements remain over specific measures. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran, which have significant fossil fuel interests, advocate focusing on waste management rather than curbing production.<\/p>\n
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