On day 5 of the fifth session of the INC5, the negotiations in Busan have been marred by polarised views on plastic production; a life cycle approach and finance

A last round of negotiations on a legally binding treaty to address the global scourge of plastic pollution has opened in Busan, South Korea.

The EU’s push for a global plastics treaty is a crucial step toward mitigating the environmental and health risks of plastic pollution. The treaty hopes to create a more sustainable and circular global plastics economy by making concrete commitments to reduce plastic production, eliminate harmful chemicals, and ensure financial accountability.

As the last negotiations for a global plastic treaty begin in South Korea, countries are divided over whether to cap production of the ubiquitous material.

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.