Global experts gather in UK to debate plastic pollution treaty framework
08 Apr 2022 --- Experts are convening today at the University of Portsmouth, UK, to discuss the success of policies tackling the global plastic pollution crisis. The two-day online workshop reviews research and proposals initiated at the Global Plastics Policy Centre, launched last year during the COP26 climate summit.
Representatives from the World Economic Forum, OECD, EU, and various governments, including Japan and the Maldives, academic experts, industry players and leading NGOs are attending.
Professor Steve Fletcher, director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre, tells PackagingInsights that the meetings are timed to aid the construction of the recently agreed-upon global plastics pollution treaty, which was signed by the UN Member States last month.
“The University of Portsmouth is working with and supporting the UN Environment Programme on policy options to tackle the global plastics crisis. The launch of the Global Plastics Policy Centre is good timing given the mandate to develop a global agreement to end plastic pollution.”
“The Centre will bring an evidence-based approach to plastic policy-making. A framework has been developed to assess individual policies scored against criteria and backed up by evidence. This Centre is the first of its kind, and the team believes that it will generate an evidence base for real change.”
Treaty troubleshooting
Since the signing of the UN Plastics Pollution Treaty, there have been concerns that the framework, which is currently being devised, could be too broad and result in loopholes through which plastics companies can avoid responsibility for pollution and human health harm.
The treaty aims to end pollution by addressing the full life-cycle of plastics, from production to disposal. Attendees at the ongoing GPPC event discuss recycling regulations, extended producer responsibility, deposit return schemes, bans on plastic bags, bans of selected single-use plastic products, taxes, and awareness instruments. Isolated solutions will not work, and plastic pollution must be met with a unified global approach.
“The team has been busy assessing more than 100 global plastics policies, now the setting up of the GPPC is in its final stage. As with all academic outputs, peer review is crucial, so I’m incredibly excited to be unveiling our work to such an eminent panel,” says Fletcher.
“We are expecting this valuable feedback will be the final stage in developing the research conclusions. Once the policies have been assessed, the GPPC will set up an online platform with resources, case studies and videos. The center will be a much-needed independent evaluation of global plastic policy that will be shared freely with the world.”
Action over discussion
Fletcher emphasizes the meetings will focus on how to implement fast-acting change rather than extended discussions.
“In order to solve the global plastic crisis, coordinated international action is key. Countries need to work together. Change needs to be systemic and isolated interventions will not work.”
“I prefer to think of issues as opportunities. Solutions to plastic waste range from economical solutions to providing the right incentives and disincentives for change. They might also include behavioral solutions, such as encouraging the public to choose different types of plastic products perhaps or reduce their reliance on plastic somehow.”
“But perhaps the most significant opportunity lies in the technological solutions space – there is a huge opportunity for green and cleantech to get involved.”
The expansion of new biobased materials, advanced recycling methods and AI have been altering the packaging and waste management space for years. Bringing such innovations to market and making them cost-competitive with traditional solutions and processes is a core aim of industry and government efforts to tackle pollution.
By Louis Gore-Langton
