What's happened
Global talks in Ottawa have failed to reach an agreement on reducing plastic production, with Rwanda and Peru proposing a 40% cut by 2040. Negotiators from 175 countries are meeting to finalize a binding global treaty to combat plastic pollution.
Why it matters
The stalled talks on a global plastic reduction treaty highlight the challenges in addressing plastic pollution. The proposed 40% reduction target by 2040 could have a significant impact on human health and the environment, but the lack of agreement signifies the ongoing struggle to tackle this pressing issue.
What the papers say
The Guardian emphasizes the failure to reach an agreement on plastic production reductions, while The Independent warns of the influence of fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists. South China Morning Post highlights Hong Kong's efforts to combat plastic pollution locally, contrasting with the global negotiations.
How we got here
Negotiators have been working towards a global treaty to reduce plastic waste since the historic agreement in Nairobi two years ago. The current talks in Ottawa mark a critical stage in finalizing the treaty, with a focus on addressing the entire lifecycle of plastic, from production to disposal.
Common question
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Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is a metropolitan area and special administrative region of the People's Republic of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta of the South China Sea.
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Inger Andersen is a Danish economist and environmentalist. In February 2019, she was appointed as the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP.