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News publ. 18. Sep 2023
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Scientists, policymakers and stakeholders voiced requests for strengthening and improving the knowledge base on marine plastic pollution. These requests often include demands for a scientific advisory mechanism or body that operates as two-way interface between science and policy and that informs policy- and decision-making in the global combat against plastic waste in the oceans. Against this background, this report makes the case for a global scientific mechanism on marine plastic pollution and discusses the conditions to make it work effectively.
Obviously, the knowledge base on marine plastic pollution needs to be strengthened. This is not only a widespread political demand of an increasing number of actors, including states, civil society and science. It is also necessary against the background of what is known about marine plastic pollution and what is not or hardly known.
What is known:
Where more research is needed:
To be clear, the existing knowledge undoubtedly warrants political action at all governance levels to reduce marine plastic pollution. Yet, there is an urgent need to learn more about promising levers and entry points for effective political and technical interventions across the entire of life-cycle of plastics.
In order to overcome knowledge gaps and to review, synthesise and translate existing knowledge into effective scientific policy advice a scientific advisory mechanism is needed. Currently, the scientific mechanisms and bodies on marine litter and microplastics are heavily fragmented. They also lack a sufficient institutionalisation, coordination and continuity. In order to overcome this status quo, the best option is to establish a global science-policy interface.
The report’s ultimate aim is to inform policymakers and stakeholders that seek to establish an effective global scientific mechanism on marine plastic pollution. The report discusses different options, but does not favour one specific option. It simply aims at informing decisions accordingly. It does so by providing policymakers and stakeholders with arguments for the establishment of a global scientific mechanism on marine plastic pollution; and by generating insights into key requirements, specific design features and institutional options of effective science-policy interfaces.
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