Global agreement on plastics at risk as petrochemical nations oppose production limits

  • Published on 02/12/2024 GMT+7

  • Reading time < 1 minute

  • Author: Julian Isaac

  • Editor: Imanuddin Razak

An agreement reached at the 175-nation Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee (INC-5) for a globally binding rule on plastics in South Korea is in jeopardy, with some petrochemical nations strongly opposed to efforts to target plastic production limits.

Several delegates expressed frustration on Thursday, November 28, 2024, about the slow pace of talks amid disagreements over procedures, a multiplicity of proposals, and some talks going back to the beginning.

Luis Vayas Valdivieso, INC Chair, convened an informal meeting on Friday, November 29, 2024, to try to address the most divisive issues.

Issues such as curbing plastic products and chemicals, managing the supply of primary polymers, and financial mechanisms to help developing countries implement the agreement.

Petrochemical producing nations such as Saudi Arabia have strongly opposed efforts to target plastic production limits, despite protests from countries bearing the brunt of plastic pollution such as low- and middle-income countries.

The petrochemical industry has also been vocal in urging governments to avoid imposing mandatory plastic production limits. Instead, they focus on solutions to reduce plastic waste, such as recycling.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Freemium

    Start reading
  • Monthly Subscription
    30% OFF

    $26.03 $37.19/Month


    Cancel anytime

    This offer is open to all new subscribers!

    Subscribe now
  • Yearly Subscription
    33% OFF

    $228.13 $340.5/Year


    Cancel anytime

    This offer is open to all new subscribers!

    Subscribe now

Set up email notifications for these topics

Read Also

  • Sandiaga Uno - image source: sandiuno.com

    Sandiaga Uno

    Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno was born in 1969 in Riau, Indonesia. Uno is the current Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy. During his childhood, he met with Erick Thohir and was in the same elementary school as a schoolmate. Sandiaga Uno was an undergraduate of Wichita State University in the United States, he graduated with a cum laude. He continued his university education in the United States at George Washington University in 1990 after receiving a paid scholarship from William Soerjadjaja and graduated with an MBA in 1992 and a GPA 4.00. 

  • Sofyan Djalil - image source: Kementerian ATR

    Sofyan Djalil

    Sofyan A. Djalil was born in 1953 in Aceh. Djalil is the Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning of Indonesia. He was a very persistent person at a young age to reach his goals, that persistence made him successful in studying at the University of Indonesia (UI). At UI, he studied Business Law and graduated in 1984. He then met his future wife, Dr. Ir. Ratna Megawangi, M.Sc. and has 3 children.

  • Hashim Djojohadikusumo - image source: Katadata

    Hashim calls for regulation overhaul as Indonesia's carbon trading hits 50,000 tons

    Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Special Envoy of the President for Climate and Energy, said that Indonesia's carbon trading transactions only reached 50 thousand tons of CO2 equivalent.

  • Kejagung RI

    Palace backs AGO's efforts to tackle corruption at Pertamina

    The Presidential Palace supports the measures taken by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) to clean up corrupt practices in the state-owned energy company PT Pertamina, in regards with the current investigation into alleged mismanagement of crude oil and refinery products within the Pertamina Group.

How can we help you?