Letters | No global plastic treaty yet, but Hong Kong has work to do

Readers discuss the imperative of passing local legislation to curb plastic use, the authority vested in Malaysia’s Conference of Rulers, and the danger of narrow pavements

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A South Korean activist calls for a strong global plastics treaty outside the venue for the meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution in Busan, South Korea, on December 1. Photo: AP

Published: 11:30am, 5 Dec 2024

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The fifth and supposedly final UN meeting to negotiate a global plastics treaty ended on Sunday without an agreement to establish clear targets for reducing plastic production. However, it is encouraging that over 100 member states, representing billions of people, rejected a weak deal that would have had little impact. Instead, they remained firm in their commitment to secure a more ambitious treaty.

The meeting in Busan, South Korea, was expected to produce a historic milestone, in which governments and corporations would agree on a legally-binding global treaty aimed at reducing plastic production, promoting reusable systems and ensuring justice for the communities most affected by plastic pollution. However, the influence of largely oil-producing countries stalled meaningful progress. Rather than focusing on tangible reductions, some parties became mired in procedural disputes and minor wording changes, preventing the establishment of clear plastic reduction targets.

This delay is especially disheartening for small island nations and coastal communities on the front line of plastic pollution. As a representative from Panama aptly stated: “This is not a drill, this is a fight for survival.”

Global negotiations are now expected to continue, though no date has been set. Meanwhile, Hong Kong, boasting one of the world’s highest per capita plastic consumption, must not fall behind in its efforts to reduce plastic use.

In his 2023 policy address, the chief executive said that a bill to amend the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance in order to establish a common legislative framework for producer responsibility schemes would be introduced by the end of the year, but progress has clearly stalled.