The 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Develop an International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution, Including in the Marine Environment (INC-5) is taking place in in Busan, Republic of Korea on 25 November – 1 December 2024. An IPCP Member is attending and providing daily summaries.
Today marks the opening of INC-5 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This pivotal meeting aims to craft a global, legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution, including its devastating impacts on the marine environment.
The day began in a way that felt unexpectedly symbolic. On my way to the convention center, I stopped by a local bakery to grab breakfast and morning coffee to fight the terrible jet lag. Arriving at the venue, I was greeted by an art installation featuring a massive whale constructed from plastic waste. It was a powerful reminder of the harm plastic debris inflicts on marine life and ecosystems. Volunteers handed out traditional Korean rice cakes alongside leaflets urging a reduction in the production of primary plastics.
It was at this moment I had an unsettling realization: I, too, had contributed to the plastic problem just this morning. The bread I bought was wrapped in plastic, and my coffee came with a plastic lid. There I stood, a participant in a global conversation on curbing plastic pollution, yet still entrenched in daily habits that add to the problem.
A Day of Divided Worlds
The session began with opening remarks from various speakers, all underscoring the urgency of reaching a meaningful conclusion to the INC process. The spotlight then shifted to the Chair’s proposal for advancing discussions—a “non-paper” created as a streamlined alternative to the sprawling 70+ page compilation document from the previous INC-4 session.
This non-paper aimed to simplify negotiations, cutting through the overwhelming array of options and bracketed text from INC-4 (see some analysis of the INC-4 outcomes here). While not perfect, it offered a practical starting point. However, its introduction revealed another divide: differing opinions among member countries.
As countries took the floor to share their views, the room seemed to split in two. Some nations firmly opposed the Chair’s proposal, while others expressed strong support. There was little dialogue to bridge the gap; instead, both sides presented their positions, amplifying the sense of division.
Finding a Way Forward
Despite these tensions, progress was made. After extensive debate, the Chair suggested a compromise: using the non-paper as a foundation for negotiations, while allowing countries to bring forward their textual proposals, including those from the original compilation document. This solution was met with mixed feelings—it provided a way to move forward but left the door open for potential delays and disagreements.
Bridging the Gap
As the day unfolded, I couldn’t shake the metaphor of “two worlds”—not just within the negotiating room but also in my own experience. On the one hand, the INC-5 represents a collective aspiration to address one of the most pressing environmental crises of our time. On the other hand, everyday choices and systemic challenges remind us how deeply ingrained plastic is in our lives.
The road to a robust plastics treaty is fraught with challenges, but today’s discussions showed that even in the face of division, progress is possible. It will take more than agreements on paper to solve the plastic crisis—it will take action from individuals, industries, and nations alike.
As I reflect on my morning, I’m reminded that real change starts with awareness. Tomorrow, I’ll buy different breakfast that doesn’t have plastic packaging. Small steps matter, even as we work toward global solutions.
Together, we must find a way to bridge these two worlds—for the sake of our planet, our oceans, and future generations.
IISD coverage:
https://enb.iisd.org/plastic-pollution-marine-environment-negotiating-committee-inc5