ndia, along with other petrochemical-producing countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran and China, is resisting measures to cap plastic production in the global negotiations over curbing plastic pollution. Thread by @sukriti_vats

Intergovernmental negotiations, being held periodically, are aiming to build a legally binding treaty, on plastic pollution, by the end of 2024. The fifth and final session is slated to be held in Korea’s Busan from 25 Nov to 1 Dec this year.

Environmental experts believe that if plastic production is unregulated, the treaty would be diluted as it would not tackle the “entire lifecycle of plastics” i.e. it would be limited to just waste collection and its management.

A recent fourth round of UN negotiations saw India oppose stringent provisions against plastic production, citing economic dependence on the material. India’s position is that it would rather pitch for “sustainable development” in the context of plastic.

About 28 countries, including some EU, southeast Asian countries, and Small Island Development States (SIDS) rallied to keep restrictive provisions on the production of raw materials used to make plastics, in the treaty text.

India and other oil and gas countries opined that this was beyond the treaty’s mandate, which was only meant to address plastic pollution that is generated post consumer use.

Plastics account for more than 60% of total petrochemicals produced in India. The petrochemical industry in India is also booming and is expected to contribute to 9% of the country’s GDP.

In case of restriction on production, India fears it would have to resort to imports to meet its basic needs of plastic consumption. India was also vocal regarding regulations of plastic that might affect international trade in a way that disproportionately affects its economy.

Experts believe that plastics are a transboundary problem and require global target regulations, and so India and other nations’ demand for flexibility, as per “national capabilities,” might defeat the entire purpose of the treaty.

ndia has been accused of using this tactic to keep the treaty diluted. It is also alleged that it is trying to delay the treaty by demanding a consensus-based approach instead of voting to finalise the treaty, which would be difficult to achieve.

The plastic industry supports India’s stand, calling it apt considering the country’s per capita consumption, which is miniscule compared to developed nations, that are proponents of such measures in the treaty. Read the full report here https://thewire.in/environment/is-india-resisting-global-regulations-on-plastic…