The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) led a global initiative to phase out plastic pollution, aiming to address plastic waste, especially in oceans.
A UN resolution passed in 2022 aimed to end plastic pollution through coordinated global action.
It was seen as a historic step, but the approach to solving the issue has been controversial.
The EU and Pacific island nations argue that plastic’s harmful environmental impact, especially its indestructibility and presence in wildlife, requires a reduction in plastic production.
While developing countries and those reliant on oil and petrochemical industries resist cuts to plastic production, viewing it as a disguised trade barrier
Discussions at the latest meeting in Busan failed to reach a consensus.
Countries are likely to reconvene next year with potentially fresh ideas to resolve the disagreement.
India aligns with countries against production cuts but faces challenges in recycling, only handling about a third of its plastic waste.
The country needs to balance its economic dependence on plastic with the environmental and health impacts.
While plastic is vital to many economies, delaying action on reducing its environmental impact could have lasting negative effects, and a planned reduction is better than inaction.
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