"Many nations hope to reduce the half a billion tons of plastic made each year. But pushback from plastic and oil producers, and Donald Trump’s election, could scuttle an agreement."
"On the heels of contentious climate talks in Azerbaijan, negotiators from around the globe are descending on Busan, South Korea, this week with another formidable goal: to hammer out the world’s first treaty designed to tackle plastic pollution’s explosive growth.
On the table is a proposal that aims to cut down on the millions of tons of plastic waste discarded each year. And a broad coalition of nations is seeking to go a step further and rein in plastic production, with a focus on restricting single-use plastic.
That notion had gained traction leading up to the final round of talks in Busan, with even the United States, a major plastics producer, tentatively backing the United Nations-led effort.
Then came the election of Donald J. Trump."
Hiroko Tabuchi reports for the New York Times November 24, 2024.
SEE ALSO:
"Global Plastics Treaty Talks Begin Final Session Clouded by Uncertainty" (Plastics Today)
"US Plastics Treaty Stance Murky Ahead Of Final UN Talks" (E&E News)
"Time Is Running Out For A Treaty To End Plastic Pollution—Here's Why It Matters" (The Conversation)
"Countries Remain Divided As Fifth U.N. Plastics Treaty Talks Begin" (Reuters)
Advertisement 
