[Answered] Analyze the position of major countries, including India, in the global efforts to reduce plastic pollution. How do economic interests and environmental concerns intersect in these negotiations?

Recently, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), under the UNEP came together to negotiate a “zero draft” which proposes an international legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. The zero draft contains options such as imposing a plastic-pollution fee to be paid by plastic polymer producers, and another on reducing the financial flow into projects with a high carbon footprint.

Position of different countries to reduce plastic pollution

• India: India has shown a growing awareness of the environmental impacts of plastic pollution. The country has implemented various measures, such as bans on single-use plastics in certain regions, and it has expressed its commitment to tackling plastic waste. Plastic Waste Management Rules have established a framework that assigned responsibilities for plastic waste management to the urban local bodies.
• China: China has seen serious pollution problems, and the effects of plastic waste on the environment are becoming more widely acknowledged. The nation has responded to this problem by imposing limitations on the importation of plastic garbage.
• European Union & USA: When it comes to international measures to reduce plastic pollution, the EU and USA have taken the lead. It has put up plans to outlaw single-use plastics, established high recycling goals, and placed a major focus on sustainable practices and the circular economy.

Intersection of Economic Interests and Environmental Concerns

• Difficulties with Regulation: One of the main difficulties with regulation is determining how to cut plastic pollution efficiently without negatively affecting economies and industries.
• Innovation and Alternatives: Fostering innovation in sustainable practices and plastic substitutes is often necessary to strike a balance between economic interests. This may open up fresh business prospects.
• Global Supply Chains: To combat plastic pollution, worldwide cooperation is required due to the interconnectedness of global supply chains. Countries may be concerned about maintaining their competitiveness in a global market.

Conclusion

It is essential that views of the African group of countries and Small-Island Developing States (SIDS) are carefully taken into account as they championed the voices of waste-pickers and indigenous peoples, and approached the plastic pollution problem from a human-rights and public health perspective. It takes cooperation and subtlety to strike a balance between economic interests and environmental sustainability. Governments must collaborate to create laws that take into account the financial effects on all parties involved in addition to reducing plastic pollution.