The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on plastic pollution, held in Busan, South Korea from November 25th to December 1st, concluded with a significant impasse. Despite the participation of 175 nations, major disagreements hampered progress on crucial aspects of a proposed global treaty to combat plastic pollution. These disagreements centered on several key points: controlling the production of problematic plastics and chemicals, managing the supply chain of primary polymers, and establishing a financial mechanism to assist developing nations in implementing the treaty’s provisions.
One of the most contentious issues revolved around the scope of the treaty itself. A central point of debate was whether the treaty should encompass the entire lifecycle of plastics—from production to disposal—or focus on a narrower set of issues. Developing countries, including India, strongly advocated for a comprehensive approach, arguing that addressing plastic pollution requires tackling it at every stage. Simultaneously, concerns were raised about the potential economic impact on developing economies if stringent regulations are imposed without adequate financial support.
India played a particularly active role in the negotiations, proposing a standalone, dedicated multilateral fund to provide financial resources to developing countries. This proposal, initially put forward on Wednesday, was reiterated during the final plenary session on Sunday. India emphasized the immense scale of the plastic pollution challenge, highlighting that no single nation can solve the problem alone. Their statement acknowledged the importance of plastics in various sectors and the ongoing transition toward sustainable plastic packaging while stressing the need to minimize environmental leakage.
The Indian delegation emphasized the necessity of striking a delicate balance between environmental protection and sustainable development, particularly for developing economies. While acknowledging the importance of preventing plastic pollution, India underscored the need to avoid measures that could hinder economic growth and progress. This stance reflects a broader concern among developing nations about the potential economic burdens of implementing a stringent global treaty without sufficient financial assistance.
Although the Chair’s Proposal, released on Saturday, represented a step forward—integrating some previously omitted concepts into the criteria for addressing plastic products and adding specific targets for supply—it did not fully address all the concerns raised by India and other member states. India voiced observations about the proposal, highlighting the need for a clearly defined scope in the treaty, preventing overlap with existing multilateral environmental agreements, and including an article on reservations regarding annexures to account for potential trade implications. The Indian delegation also expressed concern about the inclusion of a list of products with phase-out dates, advocating instead for a more flexible and nationally-driven approach.
India’s active participation and proposals underscore its commitment to addressing plastic pollution while simultaneously safeguarding the interests of its rapidly developing economy. The country’s proactive measures, including banning short-lived plastic products and implementing a robust Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for plastic packaging, demonstrate a willingness to lead on this critical global issue. The ongoing negotiations are scheduled to conclude by the end of 2024, with further sessions planned to bridge the remaining gaps and seek consensus among all member states.
The history of the INC’s sessions, starting from Punta del Este, Uruguay in November 2022, and proceeding through Paris, Nairobi, and Ottawa, leading to the recent meeting in Busan, underscores the complexity and extensive nature of these international negotiations. The ultimate success of establishing a globally binding treaty will depend heavily on finding a way to harmonize the competing needs of environmental protection and sustainable economic development for all nations, a significant challenge that the next sessions of the INC must address.
