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In shift, United States backs global target to reduce plastic production, source states

The United States, one of the world's greatest plastic makers, will support an international treaty calling for a decrease in how much new plastic is produced each year-- a significant shift from its earlier calls to leave such decisions up to each nation, a source close to U.S. mediators told Reuters on Wednesday.

The modification puts the U.S. in direct opposition to nations like Saudi Arabia and China. They have argued that the hoped-for UN treaty, which negotiators are scheduled to conclude at a. November top in Busan, South Korea, need to overlook questions. of production and concentrate on downstream steps such as. encouraging recycling and altering packaging design.

It also puts the U.S. in closer positioning with a group of. so-called high ambition countries that includes EU member. states, South Korea, Canada, Rwanda and Peru and has actually required. an international plastics treaty to cap and phase down the production of. plastic. The group has also targeted a list of chemicals of. environmental issue used in plastic production that should be. gotten rid of.

The U.S. now likewise supports working to produce a possible. worldwide list of chemicals that need to be phased out to prevent a. patchwork of various nationwide requirements, along with set. international requirements to recognize what must be on a list of. avoidable plastic products to phase out, the source stated.

The debate over whether a UN treaty must look for to restrict. the quantity of plastic being made drove the last round of. negotiations in Ottawa in April to overtime, with significant plastic. and petrochemical manufacturers like Saudi Arabia and China arguing. that countries ought to concentrate on less contentious subjects such as. plastic waste management and item style.

The EU and other parties have actually raised concerns that ongoing. divisions between nations over the scope of the treaty will. make it challenging to close negotiations in Busan.

(source: Reuters)