Greenpeace activists board tanker to demand stronger plastic pollution treaty
- Greenpeace activists boarded the Buena Alba tanker off the coast of South Korea amid ongoing international treaty negotiations.
- The group painted 'PLASTIC KILLS' on the tanker and set up a camp as part of their peaceful protest.
- The protest highlights the urgent call for effective measures to reduce plastic production amidst stalled treaty discussions.
On November 30, 2024, activists from Greenpeace took action to protest against inadequate progress in negotiations for a treaty aimed at reducing plastic pollution. The protest occurred off the coast of South Korea, where nearly 200 countries were gathered in Busan for talks concerning plastic pollution, specifically addressing the need for a legally binding agreement to curtail plastic production. The activists boarded the tanker Buena Alba, which was anchored at the Hanwha TotalEnergies complex and scheduled to transport propylene, a precursor for plastic manufacturing. By peacefully boarding the vessel, Greenpeace sought to draw public attention and pressure negotiators to prioritize the reduction of fossil fuel and petrochemical industry impacts in the ongoing talks. Activist actions included painting the phrase 'PLASTIC KILLS' on the side of the tanker and establishing a camp on board. As the situation unfolded, the South Korean coast guard responded by deploying police to the vessel and issuing warnings to ensure the activists' safe disembarkation. Meanwhile, Greenpeace's delegation head, Graham Forbes, warned of a critical moment in the negotiations, emphasizing the need for participating governments to resist regressive policies that threaten progress in addressing plastic pollution. The urgency of this protest stems from the negotiations' stalled status, particularly regarding whether to implement production cuts for new plastics—a significant point of contention that has left many activists and environmental groups concerned about the efficacy of any treaty that does not include strict limitations on plastic production. The clash of interests in these negotiations has revealed differing perspectives, particularly between oil-producing nations and environmentally-focused countries and organizations. With the timeline for reaching an agreement rapidly dwindling, Greenpeace's actions spotlight the dire need for decisive action against the rising tide of plastic waste and the consequences of inaction.