Key Issue: Limiting Plastic Production
The central debate revolves around whether the treaty will include global caps on plastic production. Currently, the world produces approximately 460 million tonnes of plastic annually, a figure projected to triple by 2060 if no action is taken. Independent scientists and environmental advocates argue that limiting production is essential to addressing plastic pollution effectively. However, plastic producers, backed by countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran, are resisting these measures, instead promoting waste management as the primary solution.

Industry Influence and Strategies
Lobbyists have been accused of employing obstructionist tactics similar to those used in climate negotiations. Critics like Delphine Levi Alvares from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) highlight how these strategies prioritize industry profits over environmental and public health concerns. "The choice is clear: our lives or their bottom line," she stated.

This influence is also evident within national delegations. Countries such as China, Malaysia, and Finland include representatives from the plastics industry, blurring the lines between public and private interests.

Scientific Consensus and Urgency
More than 900 scientists have signed a declaration urging the adoption of an ambitious treaty to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040. They assert that relying solely on waste management improvements is insufficient. Plastic waste, which has surged from 156 million tonnes in 2000 to 353 million tonnes in 2019, sees only 9% recycled globally, according to the OECD.

Graham Forbes of Greenpeace stressed the moral and scientific imperative to act, stating, "Member states must deliver a global plastics treaty that prioritizes human health and a livable planet over CEO payouts."

Lobbying Discrepancies and Industry Accountability
Recent investigations reveal significant disparities between industry claims and actions. A voluntary alliance of major fossil fuel and chemical companies, including Dow and ExxonMobil, has produced 1,000 times more new plastic than the amount of plastic waste it has addressed in the past five years.

Outlook for the Treaty
The treaty's potential to include production caps remains uncertain, with negotiations at a critical juncture. Environmentalists warn that without such measures, efforts to combat plastic pollution may fall short.

The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether the treaty becomes a landmark environmental agreement or another missed opportunity overshadowed by industry interests. The stakes are high, as decisions made in Busan will shape the global approach to plastic pollution for decades to come.