Summary

The world faces an unmanageable plastic waste crisis within a decade unless countries agree to significant production cuts, warned Norway’s Anne Beathe Tvinnereim ahead of critical UN treaty talks in South Korea.

Divisions persist between plastic-producing nations, like the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, and a coalition of 60+ countries advocating for reductions across plastics’ life cycle.

Plastic use and waste are projected to triple by 2060, threatening health, biodiversity, and the climate.

The talks aim to address single-use plastics, toxic chemicals, and global production limits, but consensus remains elusive.