What to know about the plastic pollution treaty talks that have concluded in South Korea

Associated Press

BUSAN, South Korea (AP) — Negotiations on a treaty to end plastic pollution have concluded in Busan, South Korea without reaching an agreement. This was supposed to be the fifth and final round to produce the first legally binding treaty on plastics pollution, including in the oceans, by the end of 2024. But after a week of talks and with time running out early Monday, negotiators agreed to meet again next year. More countries said at this meeting that they want to address the total plastic on Earth. Most of the negotiations in Busan took place behind closed doors, leaving few opportunities for any of the observers to help shape the treaty.