DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Providing climate justice for marginalised groups in the implementation of the UN Global Plastics Treaty in Brazil

Project disclaimer

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Description

The world is waking up to the problem of plastic pollution. The threat it poses to ecosystems and human health is global but not all communities are equally affected or equally culpable, with developed countries producing most waste and developing nations suffering the worst consequences (Xanthos and Walker, 2018; Nielsen, 2021). The challenges of plastic pollution and climate justice are therefore inextricably linked. In March 2022 UNEA, Resolution 5/14 mandated an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) produce a Global Plastics Treaty by the end of 2024, with implementation to begin in 2025. Their negotiations have been characterised by conflict between stakeholder groups with competing interests, from powerful coalitions of plastic-producing nations to representatives of marginalised communities already affected by the plastic crisis. Whatever treaty emerges from this crucible, its success will hinge on the ability of individual nations to turn it into effective, enforceable regulations capable of protecting not just the climate but also climate justice. Brazil, for example, produces much of Latin America's plastic waste and is home to marginalised communities and vital ocean and forest ecosystems already threatened by the rising tide of pollution. Here, as in the treaty negotiations, the governance of plastic is a contested topic, with diverse stakeholders defending disparate interests. THE CHALLENGE Realising the UN treaty's potential to enable Brazil to free its economy, people and globally-significant ecosystems from the menace of plastic pollution is a challenge that must be addressed now, while the opportunity still exists to guide the interpretation and codification of the treaty into national law and governance. AIMS To learn from the conflicts of interests between key stakeholder groups in the negotiation of the UN plastic treaty and use those lessons to help reconcile the needs of multistakeholders working on treaty implementation in Brazil with the goal of ensuring the resultant laws respect the needs of marginalised stakeholder groups and climate justice. To develop and empower early career researchers (ECRs) from the University of Surrey (UoS) and the University of São Paulo (USP), helping them develop collaborative skills and networks for addressing complex environmental challenges, whilst furthering their career goals.

Objectives

The world is waking up to the problem of plastic pollution. The threat it poses to ecosystems and human health is global but not all communities are equally affected or equally culpable, with developed countries producing most waste and developing nations suffering the worst consequences (Xanthos and Walker, 2018; Nielsen, 2021). The challenges of plastic pollution and climate justice are therefore inextricably linked. In March 2022 UNEA, Resolution 5/14 mandated an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) produce a Global Plastics Treaty by the end of 2024, with implementation to begin in 2025. Their negotiations have been characterised by conflict between stakeholder groups with competing interests, from powerful coalitions of plastic-producing nations to representatives of marginalised communities already affected by the plastic crisis. Whatever treaty emerges from this crucible, its success will hinge on the ability of individual nations to turn it into effective, enforceable regulations capable of protecting not just the climate but also climate justice. Brazil, for example, produces much of Latin America's plastic waste and is home to marginalised communities and vital ocean and forest ecosystems already threatened by the rising tide of pollution. Here, as in the treaty negotiations, the governance of plastic is a contested topic, with diverse stakeholders defending disparate interests. THE CHALLENGE Realising the UN treaty's potential to enable Brazil to free its economy, people and globally-significant ecosystems from the menace of plastic pollution is a challenge that must be addressed now, while the opportunity still exists to guide the interpretation and codification of the treaty into national law and governance. AIMS To learn from the conflicts of interests between key stakeholder groups in the negotiation of the UN plastic treaty and use those lessons to help reconcile the needs of multistakeholders working on treaty implementation in Brazil with the goal of ensuring the resultant laws respect the needs of marginalised stakeholder groups and climate justice. To develop and empower early career researchers (ECRs) from the University of Surrey (UoS) and the University of São Paulo (USP), helping them develop collaborative skills and networks for addressing complex environmental challenges, whilst furthering their career goals.

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Location

The country, countries or regions that benefit from this Programme.

Brazil

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