By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Newsunplug KenyaNewsunplug KenyaNewsunplug Kenya
  • News
    • Metro
    • Politics
    • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Spotify
Reading: Countries remain divided as fifth U.N. plastics treaty talks begin
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Newsunplug KenyaNewsunplug Kenya
Font ResizerAa
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Spotify
  • News
    • Metro
    • Politics
    • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Spotify
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Newsunplug Kenya > Blog > News > Countries remain divided as fifth U.N. plastics treaty talks begin
News

Countries remain divided as fifth U.N. plastics treaty talks begin

new5nuke
Last updated: November 25, 2024 4:39 am
new5nuke 6 months ago
Share
SHARE

As delegates from 175 countries gathered in Busan, South Korea on Monday for the fifth round of talks aimed at securing an international treaty to curb plastic pollution, lingering divisions cast doubts on whether a final agreement is in sight.

South Korea is hosting the fifth and ostensibly final UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting this week, after the previous round of talks in Ottawa in April ended without a path forward on capping plastic production.

Instead the meeting issued a direction for technical groups to focus on chemicals of concern and other measures after petrochemical-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia and China strongly opposed efforts to target plastic production.

The United States raised eyebrows in August when it said it would back plastic production caps in the treaty, putting it in alignment with the EU, Kenya, Peru and other countries in the High Ambition Coalition.

The election of Donald Trump as president, however, has raised questions about that position, as during his first presidency he shunned multilateral agreements and any commitments to slow or stop U.S. oil and petrochemical production.

READ MORE  Revealed: Details of the officers set to be deployed to Haiti

The U.S. delegation did not answer questions on whether it would reverse its new position to support plastic production caps. But it “supports ensuring that the global instrument addresses plastic products, chemicals used in plastic products, and the supply of primary plastic polymers,” according to a spokesperson for the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Inger Andersen, executive director of the U.N. Environment Programme, said she was confident the talks will end with an agreement, pointing to the communique from the Group of 20 nations at a summit last week calling for a legally binding treaty by the end of this year.

“This is a very powerful message,” Andersen told Reuters in Baku, on the sidelines of the UN climate negotiations, before travelling to Busan for the talks. “We know that it is often down to the wire, but if there is a will, I think we will get there.”

IMPACT ON HEALTH

For a Pacific island country like Fiji, a global plastics treaty is crucial to protect its fragile ecosystem and public health, said Sivendra Michael, Fiji’s climate minister and chief climate and plastics negotiator.

READ MORE  Kenya heads into fifth review as IMF firms grip on economic policy

He told Reuters on the sidelines of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) this month that despite not producing any plastic, Fiji is bearing the brunt of its downstream pollution.

“Where do these plastics end up? It ends up in our oceans, in our landfill, in our backyards. And the impact of the plastics breaking down into little substances has detrimental effects, not only on the environment, but on us as individuals, on our health,” he said, noting studies that showed most of the fish consumed in the country was polluted with microplastics.

While supporting an international treaty, the petrochemical industry has been vocal in urging governments to avoid setting mandatory plastic production caps, and focus on solutions on reducing plastic waste, like recycling.

“We would see a treaty successful if it would really put … emphasis on ending plastic pollution. Nothing else should be the focus.” said Martin Jung, president for performance materials at chemical producer BASF.

Previous talks have also discussed searching for forms of funding to help developing countries implement the treaty.

READ MORE  KWS proposes increase in National Park fees

At COP29, France, Kenya and Barbados floated setting up a series of global levies on certain sectors that could help ramp up the amount of money that could be made available to developing countries seeking support to aid their clean energy transition and cope with the increasingly severe impacts of climate change.

The proposal included a fee of $60-$70/ton on primary polymer production, which is on average around 5-7% of the polymer price, seen potentially raising an estimated $25-$35 billion per year.

Industry groups have rejected the idea, saying it will raise consumer prices.

You Might Also Like

Officers of Trans Nzoia County Revenue swear an oath against corruption.

Mexico says It’s Addressing The high Number Of Asylum Requests To Canada

Court orders immediate reinstatement of sacked TSC senior human resource manager

No Kenyan has been killed by police since Ruto took power, Murkomen says

Romania recalls envoy to Kenya Dragos Tigau over monkey slur

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article South African Pastor carries large cross while walking to court for his trial over alleged kidnapping, possession of dangerous weapons, and assault
Next Article Businessman Elias Njeru arrested over attempted murder of his partner
about us

We influence 20 million users and is the number one business and technology news network on the planet.

Recent Posts

  • Court orders State to produce arrested businessman Phillip Aroko
  • Kisumu: Man sentenced to life in prison for defiling two-year-old girl
  • Pride and praise in Peru for Pope Leo who left lasting impression
  • “Y’all can’t stand how hard I step?” – Rapper, Cardi B fires back after edited photos spark backlash
  • Confusion after MCSK disowns notice saying Ezekiel Mutua out as CEO

Recent Comments

No comments to show.
Newsunplug KenyaNewsunplug Kenya
© Newsunplug Kenya. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?