- The full letter – Farrelly et al.: Global plastics treaty needs trusted science – is published in Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.adp4264.
Scientific evidence of harm right along the plastic life cycle – from material extraction to disposal – has helped bring a once in a planet opportunity to address the issue of plastic pollution via a legally binding global treaty. Scientific evidence will be just as critical to guiding the way forward. Progress towards safe, sustainable and equitable decision making urgently requires a clear mandate for a science-policy interface as a subsidiary body to the future treaty.
Richard Thompson OBE FRS
Head of the International Marine Litter Research Unit at the University of Plymouth
The singular opportunity to combat plastic pollution, as presented by the incoming global treaty, hinges on one critical factor: independent scientific guidance. In a landscape dominated by the intricate complexities of plastics and the relentless influence of fossil fuel and chemical industries, the imperative for a science-policy interface free from conflicts of interest cannot be overstated. It's not just essential – it's our best bet for a sustainable future.
Marine social scientist based at James Cook University (Australia) and
Throughout the three negotiating sessions thus far to develop a global plastics treaty, a growing number of scientists, civil society organization members, and member state delegates have been calling for a legally binding treaty based on trusted and independent science. To achieve that requires creating a science-policy interface as a subsidiary body under the future treaty with a robust conflict of interest policy, a wide range of relevant expertise, and equitable regional representation. Securing that will contribute significantly to the effective implementation of the treaty.
Co-Director of the Political Ecology Research Centre at Massey University
The scientific evidence is very clear, and current production of plastics is not sustainable. Production and use of thousands of hazardous chemicals in plastics is not sustainable and hinders circularity. Member states can rely on that robust, independent science to support adoption of ambitious and effective obligations in the future global plastics treaty. Science can also help us find paths forward to protect the human right to a clean, healthy, sustainable environment.
Professor of Ecotoxicology at the University of Gothenburg
Supporting the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution
International Marine Litter Research Unit
Marine litter is a global environmental problem with items of debris now contaminating habitats from the poles to the equator, from the sea surface to the deep sea.
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