Context

The Global Plastics Treaty, an ambitious initiative involving at least 175 United Nations members to eliminate the use of plastics, concluded its fourth round of negotiations recently. 

Progress on Global Plastics Treaty

To finalize a legal document by the end of 2024 with timelines by when countries must agree to curb plastic production, eliminate its uses that create wastage, ban certain chemicals used in its production and set targets for recycling. Stalled Negotiations: Unfortunately, an agreement is not in sight. There is yet another round of negotiations scheduled in Busan, South Korea this November.

Challenges Associated with the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations

• Reluctance on Hard Deadlines: Oil producing and refining countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United States, Russia, India and Iran are reluctant about hard deadlines to eliminate plastic production.
  • A coalition of African countries, supported by several European nations, is in favour of a year, around 2040, to ensure that a timeline for reduction is in effect.
• Disagreement Over Decision-Making Process: There is also disagreement on whether contentious elements in the treaty should be decided on by a vote or consensus — the latter implying that every country has a veto.
• Concerns highlighted by India: India’s stance, aside from its discomfort with binding targets, emphasizes that any legally binding measure to combat plastic pollution must encompass considerations regarding the availability, accessibility, and affordability of alternatives. 
  • This includes addressing cost implications and specifying arrangements for capacity building, technical assistance, technology transfer, and financial aid.
• Principle of Differentiated Responsibility: India’s stance is not unique; it echoes the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’ often seen in climate negotiations.
  • According to this principle, while all countries share a common goal, more privileged nations are expected to support others and adopt stricter targets themselves.

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Indian Plastic Policy Challenges

Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) Ban: In 2022, India implemented the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021), prohibiting 19 categories of single-use plastics. It, however, does not include plastic bottles — even those less than 200 ml — and multi-layered packaging boxes (as in milk cartons).

• Inconsistent Enforcement of SUPs Ban: Moreover, even the ban on single-use plastic items is not uniformly enforced nationally, with several outlets continuing to retail these goods

Conclusion

Much like how transitioning away from fossil fuel invites its own challenges, plastic pollution cannot be ended by merely signing treaties. There needs to be much greater investment in alternative products and making them affordable before realistic targets are decided upon.