How industry influence loomed large over plastics talks in Busan

The Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on plastic pollution, held in Busan, South Korea, became a battleground for influence as lobbyists for the fossil fuel and chemical industries infiltrated the process of drafting a global treaty designed to put them out of business.

An analysis by the Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL) found that 220 lobbyists had registered for INC-5, the highest number ever recorded at such negotiations. This number surpassed the host country, South Korea's delegation of 140, and even rivalled the 222 delegates from 54 African member states combined.
European Union member states registered about 191 delegates.

CIEL's analysis showed that some countries had included lobbyists in their ranks, with 17 from nations such as China, Egypt, and Malaysia reportedly embedded in official delegations. Others included the Dominican Republic, Finland, Iran, Kazakhstan and Peru.  

Additionally, petrochemical giants like Dow and ExxonMobil had a strong presence, raising concerns about their influence on the process.

Environmentalists warn that the overwhelming presence of industry representatives threatens to derail efforts to reduce plastic production and implement meaningful environmental protections.

At a press briefing organised by CIEL, Sara Onuoha, a Nigerian environmentalist, described the intrusion as detrimental to Africa's negotiating position.

“They influence the African group in a way...we cannot overpower them. They will definitely influence our policies in one way or the other,” she warned.

“The Africa’s position is on coming up with a treaty with dedicated funding. The reason why we are in this treaty and pushing for financial mechanisms is because we don’t want these people to influence our policies anymore,” she added.

Kenyan Hellen Kahaso, Project Lead for Greenpeace Africa’s Pan-African Plastics Project, stressed the urgency of adopting robust measures.

“Member states should not let a small minority dictate the future of our generation and that of the planet. The time to act is now! Member states must step up and deliver a treaty that will cut plastic production and drive an equitable transition for workers and the health of the most affected communities,” she urged.

Climate talks playbook

The pro-industry lobbyists reportedly leverage their considerable financial resources to obstruct progress, using tactics reminiscent of strategies employed in the climate change negotiations. 

According to Delphine Levi Alvares of CIEL, these tactics aim to protect fossil-fueled profits at the expense of human health and the environment.

“From the moment the gavel came down at Unea-5.2 [the Nairobi meeting] to now, we have watched industry lobbyists surrounding the negotiations with sadly well-known tactics of obstruction, distraction, intimidation, and misinformation,” he said.

“Their strategy — lifted straight from the climate negotiations playbook — is designed to preserve the financial interests of countries and companies who are putting their fossil-fueled profits above human health, human rights, and the future of the planet. The mandate for this treaty is very clear: ending plastic pollution. Ever-growing evidence from independent scientists, frontline communities, and Indigenous Peoples clearly shows that this won’t be achieved without reducing plastic production. 

“The choice is clear — our lives or their bottom line,” he added.

Despite pressure from lobbyists, advocates like Daniela Duran Gonzalez, Senior Legal Campaigner at CIEL, argue that expanding plastic production is unsustainable both economically and environmentally. 

“Plastic markets are already oversupplied. Shrinking demand, closing facilities, diminishing profit margins — expanding plastic production is bad business. If member states are truly committed to fair and equitable development they would support mandatory rules to reduce production, starting with a halt to the construction of new production facilities. This is a moment for courage — for our economy, our planet, our climate, and the rights of present and future generations,” she said.

The talks it the coastal and mountainous city of Busan ended without an agreement on a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.

Negotiations will resume at a later date in 2025.