Environment Programme Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting intended to yield a legally binding global treaty in Busan, South Korea, was meant to be the final one. The most divisive issues included capping plastic production, managing plastic products and chemicals of concern, ensuring a just transition and financing to help developing countries implement the treaty. The science is clearMore than 70 independent scientists from the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty participated in the meeting to support negotiators in understanding and implementing robust knowledge, including the latest peer-reviewed science, into their positions. “The science is clear: A treaty that protects human health and the environment needs to address the issues of plastic production and chemicals. “This shows the importance of a having robust, independent science and strategies to prevent conflicts of interest from derailing the future treaty” says Patricia Villarrubia-Gómez.