Scottish campaigners call for action on plastic pollution after treaty talks fail

It follows last week’s meeting in Busan, South Korea, where 175 governments gathered to discuss the details of the UN’s Global Plastics Treaty aimed at ending the plastic pollution crisis.

The meeting ended without any agreement on key issues such as limiting plastic pollution, removing the use of harmful chemicals, and setting up financial help for poorer nations to adapt to the measures discussed.

The fossil fuel and plastic industries, and certain countries that produce large amounts of plastic, were criticised for obstructing, delaying, and undermining efforts to make progress.

Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner from Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “A handful of countries and corporations have sabotaged the negotiations for a global plastics treaty, putting their profits before a world without plastic pollution.

“This international agreement had the potential to make a hugely positive impact, but we can’t let its delay stop progress that can be made now to reduce the harmful impacts of plastic.”

READ MORE: Nations meet as part of final bid to address global plastic crisis

Scotland is part of the 85 countries supporting the idea of a strong treaty to better deal with plastic pollution.

“Scotland has rightly joined with the many countries, civil society organisations and communities calling for action on the plastics crisis.

On October 29, 2024, an open letter by Friends of the Earth Scotland and other organisations was sent to First Minister John Swinney and Gillian Martin MSP, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy.

The letter was signed by 29 climate organisations.

The open letter stated that the quantity of microplastics found in brain samples has almost doubled since 2016 and “millions of tonnes of plastics are exported from rich countries” to southern countries with 60% of all recycled plastics managed by waste pickers.

Waste pickers are unacknowledged workers who collect plastic waste for resale, often under poor working conditions. It is estimated that around 20 million people rely on this work to earn a living.

First Minister John Swinney answered the open letter on November 5 and stated that the “Scottish Government fully supports the Global Plastics Treaty” and is closely working with the UK Government on the matter.

“It is my expectation that the finalisation of a Treaty will improve plastics management internationally.”

Swinney then resumed the current measures taken in Scotland to tackle the plastic problem.

“Our relationship with plastics must change to prevent further pollution,” Swinney states at the end of his letter.

First Minister John Swinney has stated his support on the treaty (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Friends of the Earth Scotland has welcomed the answer of Scotland’s First Minister but has stated that “there is plenty of action” that Swinney should drive forward to help Scotland tackle plastic pollution.  

“With the failure of the talks, it is now more important than ever that the Scottish Government demonstrates its commitment to ending plastic pollution by embracing and implementing ambitious policies to curb the scourge of plastic pollution in Scotland,” Pratt said.

After the meeting in South Korea ended without an agreement, the negotiations are scheduled to resume in 2025.