UN talks on a treaty to end global plastic pollution open in Paris

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00:00 "What do we want?

00:01 Global plastic free."

00:02 "When do we want it?"

00:03 "Now!"

00:04 Protesters got their message across outside UNESCO headquarters in Paris to say "choose

00:08 people over polluters" - raising concerns about the influence of industry lobbies on

00:14 discussions.

00:16 Inside the UN Environment Programme, hosting talks released a blueprint to reduce plastic

00:21 waste by 80% by 2040 - and warned against halfway measures.

00:27 "Only elimination, reduction, a full life cycle approach, transparency and a just transition

00:36 only those can bring success because the truth is that we cannot recycle our way out of this

00:42 mess."

00:43 The stakes are high in finalising a global treaty on plastic pollution.

00:47 One million plastic bottles are purchased every minute worldwide.

00:51 Up to five trillion plastic bags are used each year.

00:54 And half of all the plastic we use is designed for single use only.

00:59 "Plastic pollution is everywhere."

01:01 Countries are divided.

01:03 Around 50 nations are in a coalition to reduce use and production, with others such as the

01:08 US and China.

01:10 Insisting better waste management is the answer.

01:13 "On one hand, we have the High Ambition Coalition.

01:19 It's a group of states committed to a strong ambition, including the European Union, Canada

01:24 and Mexico.

01:25 And on the other hand, we have the United States, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia, who

01:31 are less ambitious and prefer to have voluntary measures on end-of-life waste."

01:37 Key issues include methods for financing policies, as well as how they'd be implemented and reported

01:43 on.

01:44 The goal is to get an agreement next year for a treaty, in mid-2025.

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