The world’s nations gather in Busan, South Korea from November 25 to December 1, 2024, for what could be the final round of negotiations on a legally binding treaty to address plastic pollution. With 196 countries participating, the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) faces the complex task of resolving deep divisions over plastic production controls. Production Curbs: The Core Conflict The United States shifted its stance on plastic production regulation between INC-4 in April and INC-5, potentially altering the treaty’s trajectory. After initially focusing on recycling and reuse, the U.S. now acknowledges the need to regulate plastics … Continue reading Plastic Pollution Treaty in Busan Faces 196 Nations Debating Production Caps and Chemical Bans