Global plastic treaty talks

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Context:

Global leaders will gather in Canada’s capital this week to discuss progress in drafting a first-ever global treaty to rein in soaring plastic pollution by the end of the year..

Background on Plastic Treaty:

The U.N. Environmental Assembly in 2022 agreed to develop a legally binding treaty by the end of 2024 to tackle plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle.

What Countries Want in the Treaty:

Plastic and petrochemical-producing countries: Many plastic and petrochemical-producing countries have opposed mentioning production limits. These countries include Saudi Arabia, Iran and China and are known collectively as the group of Like-Minded Countries.
High-Ambition Coalition: The 60-nation High-Ambition Coalition, which includes EU countries, island nations, Japan and the UAE, aims to end plastic pollution by 2040 with legally binding provisions.
US: The U.S. proposes allowing countries to set their own plans to end plastic pollution.
Corporate Brands' Perspective: More than 200 consumer-facing companies including Unilever, PepsiCo and Walmart have joined the so-called Business Coalition for a Plastics Treaty. They support a treaty that includes production caps, use restrictions, product design requirements, and extended producer responsibility to tackle plastic pollution.

For Causes , effects and challenges of plastic pollution, read the following article:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/plastic-pollution-24

Plastic regulation in India:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/plastic-regulation-in-india

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/global-plastic-treaty-canada-significance-9285936/

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Discuss the divergent perspectives of various stakeholders, including plastic and petrochemical-producing countries, the High-Ambition Coalition, the United States, and corporate brands, on the drafting of the first-ever global treaty to address plastic pollution. How might the different positions of these stakeholders impact the outcome of the treaty negotiations? (250 Words)