Environmental activists stage picket demonstrations and performances, calling for the establishment of an international treaty to end plastic pollution, in central Seoul, Oct. 7.

While the U.S. presidential election set for Tuesday may be among one of the most globally anticipated events this month, another crucial gathering with worldwide implications should not go unnoticed.

Starting Nov. 25, BEXCO in Busan will host the 5th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) Meeting on Plastic Pollution — a weeklong event that calls for the attention of Korea and the global community alike. This pivotal meeting seeks to establish an international treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution, a bold step for the future of the planet.

This initiative stems from a landmark resolution passed at the 2022 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), a biennial meeting organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The resolution is committed to creating a legally binding international treaty by the end of 2024 aimed at addressing plastic pollution and safeguarding the planet.

The first session, INC-1, was held in late 2022 in Uruguay, followed by INC-2 in May 2023 in France. The third session, INC-3, took place in late 2023 in Kenya, marking the halfway point in the negotiation process. INC-4 was held in April this year in Canada, and the fifth and final session is scheduled from Nov. 25 to December 1 in Busan, Korea.

People take part in a "March to End the Plastic Era" rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, April 21, 2024. The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) was held in the Canadian capital as delegates from 176 countries arrived in the city to negotiate a treaty to eliminate plastic waste in less than 20 years. AP-Yonhap

The seriousness of plastic pollution needs no further explanation. It has likely reached a point where recycling alone cannot solve the issue. The sight of marine life filled with ingested plastic serves as a stark reminder of how critical this problem has become.

According to figures released by the OECD in 2023, only 9 percent of plastic waste produced worldwide is recycled, while this waste accounts for about 85 percent of marine debris. If this trend continues, the amount of plastic waste is projected to triple over the next 40 years.

Microplastics — tiny particles less than 5 millimeters in size — also pose a grave risk to human health. These particles have infiltrated the oceans, soil, and even the air, making them nearly impossible to avoid. Studies show humans now absorb microplastics not only through seafood but also through tap water, bottled water, and everyday products such as beer and salt.

For this reason, the final INC meeting in Busan later this month is viewed as a critical opportunity to combat plastic pollution. About 4,000 participants, including delegations from over 170 countries, are expected to attend the meeting.

If a legally binding international agreement is established, it could become the most significant international environmental accord since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change signed in 1992.

A mound of plastic waste scavenged from various environments, including river channels and dump sites, sit in a recycling factory located in Machakos, Kenya, Nov. 13, 2023. AFP-Yonhap

The circumstances surrounding the potential signing of the treaty are challenging, as the newly proposed agreement is anticipated to have an impact comparable to that of the climate change treaty once adopted. This is because the positions in favor of and against the treaty will inevitably differ depending on the economic status and interests of each country and industry.

In fact, numerous lobbyists from the global plastic industry, along with government delegations, are expected to gather in Busan. Environmental organizations will also be present to push for a robust agreement, countering the industry's lobbying efforts.

"At the fourth negotiation meeting held in Canada this April, government delegations worked to simplify the agreement based on a revised draft text prepared by UNEP's Secretariat of the INC on Plastic Pollution. However, differences of opinion among participating countries on key issues, such as plastic production cuts and financing mechanisms, became evident," an official at Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told The Korea Times.

"Given the seriousness and urgency of addressing plastic pollution, it is essential to reach an agreement on the text of the treaty during the INC-5 to be held in our country," the official explained, adding that Korea will actively contribute to the international community's efforts to finalize the UN plastic treaty.

Point of dispute

The primary point of contention among participating countries is how to tackle the reduction of plastic production. Companies and countries that would be negatively impacted by reductions in plastic production are unlikely to welcome an international treaty and are instead promoting recycling as a solution.

The "High Ambition Coalition" (HAC), which includes the European Union and Korea, advocates for the inclusion of legally binding measures in the agreement to end plastic pollution by 2040, emphasizing the need to establish specific cuts in primary plastic polymer production. This approach arises from the necessity to regulate production and consumption at sustainable levels.

In contrast, the "Global Coalition for Plastic Sustainability" (GCPS) argues for a focus on waste management and recycling, rather than production cuts. In this context, the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" has been introduced, suggesting that developed countries should bear greater responsibility for plastic use. This perspective emphasizes that poor waste management is the primary driver of plastic pollution, indicating that negotiations should prioritize effective waste management strategies.

Activists from the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements (KFEM) stage a human sign performance at Yeouido Hangang Park, Seoul, Oct. 26. The environmental group urges for a strong international plastic treaty. Courtesy of KFEM

The agreement anticipated to emerge from this fifth round of negotiations, which will focus on creating an effective treaty addressing plastic production across its entire life cycle from production to disposal, is expected to resemble existing climate change agreements, with the possibility of including specific details aimed at addressing plastic pollution. Depending on the outcomes of the negotiations, the implementation strategies for each country are likely to become more clearly defined.

An official at Korea's Ministry of Environment told The Korea Times that while the ministry cannot disclose specific details about the Korean delegation's position for INC-5, it is "actively engaging with the industry and civil society and closely collaborating with relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, to develop effective strategies."

If an agreement is reached in the negotiations in Busan, the process for countries to sign the treaty is expected to begin early next year.

A large pile of plastic waste is stacked at a resource recycling center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Sept. 6. Yonhap

While environmental organizations are hopeful that the long-awaited UN plastic treaty, if ratified, could represent a significant milestone as the world's first legally binding agreement to prevent plastic pollution, they remain uncertain about its potential effectiveness.

"The international community signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 to reduce greenhouse gases, but nearly a decade later, progress has been minimal. Countries' voluntary reduction targets have been insufficient, and disputes over responsibilities between developed and developing nations regarding greenhouse gas emissions continue, with no funding secured to achieve carbon neutrality. The situation surrounding the plastic treaty is not much different," Beetsnara Han, director of the Research Institute for Climate and Society, said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

"Discussions on setting plastic reduction targets are stagnant, the gap in positions between producing and consuming countries remains wide, and there is a lack of funding solutions to achieve a circular economy. Without substantial progress on these key issues, the effectiveness of the plastic treaty is also in doubt," she explained.

Han also pointed out that while 56 multinational corporations, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé, are recognized as major contributors to global plastic pollution, consumers who benefit from convenient plastic products cannot escape responsibility either.

She added that if a producer responsibility system is implemented to reduce plastic pollution, product prices are likely to increase, and recycling recovery systems will be strengthened. However, it remains uncertain whether individual consumers are prepared to accept these changes.

"Reducing plastic pollution involves more than just using tumblers and eco-bags. In order to achieve the environmental benefits of an eco-bag, it must be used 7,000 times. While the efforts of businesses and the market are important, fundamental societal changes in lifestyle are essential for meaningful progress," Han emphasized.