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Plastic post-Nairobi needs IUPAC involvement
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This commentary calls on the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) to play a stronger role in the global treaty negotiations on plastic pollution following the 2022 Nairobi agreement. The author argues that scientific expertise is needed to ensure that proposed solutions to plastic pollution are technically sound and effective.
Abstract Soon after plastic became an important commercial product, plastic pollution became a major concern. Despite political focus and implementation of measures to stop the development, litter from plastic products continued to grow and reached an alarming level already some years ago. In many countries the plastic bag became the symbol for plastic garbage, and in Norway that proved to be a very appropriate pick when a sick goose-beaked whale stranded and appeared to have 30 plastic bags and other pieces of plastic in its stomach (Figure 1) [2, 3]. This incident engaged the public in many countries, which quickly organized dugnads to collect plastic rubbish from everywhere—parks, forests and coastlines.
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Scientific challenges of plastic pollution treaty
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This review examines the scientific challenges surrounding the development of an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, as called for by UNEA Resolution 5/14, highlighting gaps in terminology, polymer science knowledge, and cross-disciplinary collaboration needed to address marine plastic waste effectively.
We need a global agreement to safeguard human health from plastic pollution
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This commentary argues that unresolved disagreements among member states are hindering progress toward a UN global plastics treaty that could protect human and environmental health. The authors call for resolution of key disputes to advance international governance of plastic pollution across the full lifecycle.
Scientific challenges of plastic pollution treaty
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This review examines the scientific and technical challenges that must be overcome to develop an effective international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution under UNEA Resolution 5/14, focusing on polymer science terminology gaps, material characterization challenges, and the need for broader cross-disciplinary scientific engagement.
Strengthen the Global Science and Knowledge Base to Reduce Marine Plastic Pollution
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This paper argues for strengthening the science and knowledge base to inform a potential global agreement on plastic pollution, calling for a new scientific advisory mechanism to support international negotiations. A stronger evidence base on microplastic sources, impacts, and solutions is seen as critical to achieving effective global policy.
UN plastic treaty must mind the people: Citizen science can assist citizen involvement in plastic policymaking
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This paper examined how citizen science can be integrated into the UN plastics treaty to increase public participation in plastic pollution policy. The authors found that current measures for citizen engagement are inadequate and recommend that the treaty ensure access throughout the policy process, harmonize citizen inputs for policy uptake, and prioritize equity for communities most affected by plastic pollution.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.