March participants carry their own signs and banners on the streets in front of BEXCO.
Under the clear autumn sky, Busan Olympic Park hummed with a special energy. More than 1,500 citizens and activists from home and abroad marched in the streets with one voice to solve the problem of plastic pollution. Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) also participated in the march and joined the call to tackle the plastic crisis.
United by the sound of drums, participants marched as one - making a large circle around BEXCO. While the participants' costumes and decorations showed their unique character (often through the creative reuse of discarded plastic waste), their voices were unified as they chanted slogans like “No More Plastic!” and “Reduce Production Now!” Their rallying cry resonated with the people of Busan, who could be seen waving and cheering in the streets or joining the march themselves.
The plastics issue also raised questions about the petrochemical industry.
The march took place ahead of the 5th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), which is scheduled between November 25 to December 1 in BEXCO, Busan. INC-5 is a forum to develop a legally binding international plastics convention and is expected to be a watershed moment in the fight against plastic pollution. In particular, at a time when countries are sharply at odds over the setting of targets for the reduction of plastic production, the scope and intensity of its legally binding mechanism, financial support and technology transfer, and how to manage the entire plastics lifecycle, this meeting will be a pivotal moment that will determine the direction of the Convention. We gathered because we want Busan to be remembered for securing a strong treaty for the people and planet.
People from all over the country marched in the streets, as well as participants from abroad.
At INC-5, four key issues are to be discussed to address plastic pollution. The first is to set a global plastic production reduction target. While countries like the European Union have argued for strong targets to reduce plastic production altogether, countries such as Saudi Arabia and Russia have opposed the targets, focusing on recycling and waste management. Second, the scope and strength of the Convention's legally binding force are expected to be debated between countries that demand strong regulation and those that favor a less binding approach. Third, the issue of financial assistance and technology transfer required by developing countries is also an important topic of discussion. Finally, it is a key task to agree on a comprehensive regulation and management of the entire process of plastics, from production to consumption and disposal.
There is also a major spotlight on South Korea as the host nation – with expectations for the country to show strong leadership during INC-5. As the world's fourth-largest producer of ethylene (i.e. plastic raw materials) and a major producer of refined petroleum products and petrochemicals, South Korea has a huge responsibility to tackle plastic pollution. This is also an important issue that must be addressed in order to achieve carbon neutrality in Korea. From oil refinery to the manufacturing and processing of plastics, as well as the entire process of consumption, collection, and treatment, harmful greenhouse gases are emitted.
Greenhouse gas emissions across the global plastics lifecycle account for approximately 5.3% of total global emissions. What does this mean for the impact of South Korea, the world's fourth-largest petrochemical powerhouse and a huge producer of plastics, on the climate? In South Korea, petrochemicals are the second largest emitting industry after steel, accounting for about 1/5 of the industrial sector's emissions. Petrochemicals account for about 1/10 of Korea's total greenhouse gas emissions. This makes petrochemicals a significant stakeholder in overall greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Consequently, the Korean government and the petrochemical industry must take the opportunity of INC-5 to develop concrete and practical plans for both reduction of production and carbon emissions. Beyond simply waste disposal and recycling, addressing the truly fundamental climate and environmental challenges of plastics requires a shift in policy and industry structure to reduce production. INC-5 serves as an important opportunity for Korea to demonstrate its leadership in carbon neutrality in the international community and move toward a sustainable future.
Many people wore costumes that incorporated plastic products, such as vinyl or plastic bottles.
At the end of the march, it was especially memorable to see participants stamp their hands on a giant banner and write a message calling for a strong plastic agreement. A wide range of people, from children to global activists, showed their determination to solve the problem of plastic pollution together and conveyed their hope for a plastic-free future.
Many children also recognized the environmental problems linked to plastic and joined the march to raise awareness of these issues.
SFOC staff who joined this march had the chance to realize the global scale of the problems we now face and gain inspiration on how to solve them with our individual responsibility and efforts. Moreover, it is my fervent hope that the international community will provide the answer through INC-5 and become the foundation for a global agreement to fundamentally solve the plastic problem. We also expect the Republic of Korea to go beyond its responsibilities as a host country and demonstrate leadership in meeting the expectations of the international community. Furthermore, we hope that the petrochemical industry will join us in creating a sustainable future.
The journey to tackle plastic pollution won't be easy. But the voices that have been shouted on the streets of Busan will surely bring about change. As we dream of a plastic-free future, we look forward to taking small steps towards a sustainable world that we will create together!