At Albion Environmental, we are committed to helping tackle the global plastic pollution crisis, and as part of this mission, we are following the latest developments surrounding the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. Last week, world leaders gathered for the fifth round of talks in Busan, South Korea, and the outcome was a mix of challenges and hope for stronger action on plastic pollution. 

The Key Takeaways: What Happened at the Negotiations? 

While the outcome of the talks was not as conclusive as many hoped, there was progress. The negotiations aimed to finalise the details of a Global Plastics Treaty, but governments were unable to agree on a final text. The sticking point? Plastic reduction targets. 

Here is the positive news: many countries, including the UK, refused to accept a weak agreement that would fail to address the root cause of plastic pollution. Over 100 countries now agree that the Treaty must include specific targets to reduce plastic production and consumption. This is a major victory in the fight against plastic pollution. Governments like the UK held firm and pushed back against the plastics and fossil fuel industries, who lobbied hard to keep plastic production high. 

The negotiations are far from over. In fact, this will set the stage for more intense discussions when talks resume in 2025. The momentum we have built over the past year, including the support from campaigns like The Big Plastic Count, is stronger than ever. We can look forward to pushing for a much stronger agreement that holds governments accountable for meaningful reductions in plastic production. 

The Lobbying Pressure 

While we celebrate this success, it is clear that the fight is far from over. The presence of the plastics and fossil fuel industries in Busan was undeniable – more than 220 lobbyists from these industries were on the ground, outnumbering the entire European delegation! These powerful groups will continue to try to weaken the treaty, pressuring world leaders to back away from serious reductions in plastic production. 

That is why it is essential to maintain our pressure on governments to prioritize the environment over industry interests. This means continuing to demand action on reducing single use plastics and ensuring that the voices of the millions of people around the world who care about the planet are heard loud and clear, especially in the face of such intense lobbying. 

Greenpeace’s Bold Action 

One of the highlights of the week was not just the negotiations in the conference rooms, but the bold actions taking place outside of them. Greenpeace activists took direct action against a tanker loading toxic plastic chemicals, sending a powerful message to world leaders. Among the activists was Alex from the UK, who explained their motivation: 

“We are taking direct action here today – stopping this plastic shipment – to urge world leaders to listen to the voices of the millions of people around the world, along with scientists and businesses – who are demanding they cut plastic production to stop plastic pollution.” 

This dramatic demonstration was just one of the many ways the public and environmental groups are making their voices heard. Whether it is through direct action, signing petitions, or taking part in initiatives like The Big Plastic Count, we all play a part in making plastic reduction a priority. 

What’s Next for The Big Plastic Count? 

With the negotiations set to resume in 2025, it is clear that the work is far from done. But The Big Plastic Count and the growing global movement against plastic pollution are more important than ever. The pressure we have applied so far has helped secure a stronger position in the negotiations, but we need to keep pushing for real change. 

At Albion Environmental, we will continue to monitor these negotiations and stand alongside campaigns like The Big Plastic Count to advocate for stronger plastic reduction targets and policies. We encourage everyone to stay involved, stay informed, and keep the pressure on governments to secure a Global Plastics Treaty that truly addresses the scale of the plastic crisis.