Greenpeace activists halted a petrochemical tanker in South Korea on Saturday, as United Nations negotiations in Busan enter their final 24 hours with disagreement over key aspects of the treaty, leading to a strong global plastics deal. requested that the agreement be concluded.
The activists boarded the Buena Alba tanker, which was docked near South Korea’s Hanwha Total Energy complex, at 9:30 a.m. local time.
The ship was scheduled to carry propylene, a fossil fuel-derived chemical used in plastic production.
Activists donned safety gear, climbed the ship’s mast, painted “Plastic Kills” on the side of the ship, and set up tents to continue their protest.
Activists said the ship was stopped for more than nine hours independent person They had planned to continue their sit-in protests until a treaty to limit plastic pollution was signed at United Nations talks in Busan, where representatives from about 200 countries gathered.
“Our activists are calling on the world to listen to the millions of voices calling for an end to plastic pollution,” Capucine Dayan, communications and engagement manager at Greenpeace, who was accompanying the activists, said by phone. “We are urging leaders across the world to take action to stop the transport of this plastic.” phone.
“Our activists want to stay as long as necessary until the treaty negotiations are finished,” Dayen said by phone as the activists remained on board the tanker.
Sunday is set to be the final day of the fifth and final round of negotiations on the United Nations Plastics Treaty, with countries expected to agree on the world’s first legally binding plastics treaty. But talks appear to have stalled amid deep divisions over key issues such as production caps, financing and the definition of plastics and hazardous chemicals.
Activists say they wanted a treaty that would put a cap on plastic production. If current trends continue, global plastic waste is predicted to nearly triple by 2060. According to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report.
Greenpeace is calling for a 75 percent reduction in plastic production by 2040 to stay within a safe climate range. Greenpeace estimates that unchecked plastic production could consume up to 31 percent of the remaining carbon budget needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
However, the presence of the petrochemical industry reportedly hindered negotiations.
“We are protesting here because lobbyists from the petrochemical industry are in full force in Busan, using their power, money and access to ensure that the treaty is broken,” Daen said. said.
“We want them to turn off the tap on plastic production and show that if our mountaineers can challenge the plastics industry, so can the world leaders at the negotiating table. is.”
“We are taking direct action here today to stop the transport of this plastic and urge world leaders to listen to the voices of millions of people around the world.” Greenpeace UK Mountaineering Team said volunteer Alex Wilson. “Scientists and companies call for caps on plastic production to stop plastic pollution.”
Tensions escalated by evening, with activists holding positions on the tanker’s mast. Daen said: independent person The ship’s crew reportedly tried to disrupt the protests by making loud noises and shining laser lights at the activists. She said the situation complicates her ability to communicate with the media.
“Unfortunately, the ship’s crew is making this very loud noise and trying to shine laser lights in your eyes, which makes it very difficult for them to be interviewed by the media,” she said. .
“Police are stationed on board the ship and are making warning broadcasts to facilitate safe disembarkation,” a South Korean Coast Guard spokesperson told AFP news agency.
He said a “thorough investigation” would be carried out to determine whether there were “illegal elements” to the protests.
Greenpeace’s protest follows reports indicating a strong petrochemical industry lobbying presence in treaty negotiations. According to an analysis by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), more than 220 petrochemical lobbyists were present in Busan, the largest number ever for plastics treaty negotiations.
Although progress in negotiations is slow, international support for including production cuts in the treaty is growing. A cross-regional proposal for a global reduction target has the support of 100 countries. In addition, a coalition of 350 global companies champion of changecalls for reductions in line with efforts to tackle climate change.
Graham Forbes, head of the Greenpeace US delegation to negotiate the Global Plastics Treaty, called on world leaders to seize this opportunity.
“We are in the 11th hour of negotiations. Countries must agree to reduce plastic production to protect human health, avoid climate change and encourage investment in a truly circular economy. “There is,” Forbes said.
“A treaty that does not tackle plastic production is a failure, and this should be a red line for all governments working to end the plastic pollution crisis.”
Host country South Korea’s petrochemical industry is also facing intense scrutiny for its role in contributing to both plastic pollution and the climate crisis. According to a Greenpeace analysis, the country’s plastic production capacity emits as many greenhouse gases as Japan and Taiwan combined. South Korea is also the largest producer of plastic waste in the OECD and the fourth largest producer of petrochemicals in the world.
“The South Korean government should listen to the people’s desire to end plastic pollution,” said Mikyung Kim, a project manager at Greenpeace’s Seoul office.
“Corporate interests must not prioritize the interests of the people. The INC-5 negotiations in Busan are an opportunity for South Korea to make the right choice together with the rest of the world.”
Treaty negotiations are scheduled to end on Sunday, leaving negotiators with a narrow window to agree on definitive measures.
