The University of Portsmouth will lead a discussion on the importance of transforming the plastics economy at the New Statesman's Global Policy Forum.
The University of Portsmouth will be leading an online panel discussion at the New Statesman and Spotlight’s Global Policy Forum: A Sustainable Recovery on 9 February 2021.
The discussion is on the importance of transforming the plastics economy and the role that universities play alongside business and government in shaping the solutions to the global plastics crisis.
Plastics are used in every area of our lives. While they’re cost effective and durable, single-use and microplastics alone have led to a global plastic pollution crisis. Each year, 11 million metric tonnes of plastics end up in our oceans.
Steve Fletcher, Professor of Ocean Policy and Economy and Director of the University’s Sustainability and the Environment research theme, will lead the discussion with sector leaders, research experts and policy makers. Professor Fletcher said: “The problems plastics pose are wide ranging and difficult to tackle. In order to halt this trend and move to more sustainable alternatives, we need radical action across all aspects of society, and critically, the use of an innovative and collaborative approach across sectors.
To transform the plastics economy we need to inform and empower citizens, enforce new governance approaches and create further partnerships with industry and policy makers.
“Higher education and universities have a key role to play in this transformation. Recently, there’s been work in innovative technology to transform the methods of plastics production and disposal, as well as research into an inclusive, circular new plastics economy. However, there is still a way to go. To transform the plastics economy we need to inform and empower citizens, enforce new governance approaches and create further partnerships with industry and policy makers.”
The University’s Revolution Plastics initiative is a central hub for plastics research that could offer potential solutions to the crisis. It draws together colleagues from across the institution, most notably from the Centre for Blue Governance, the Institute of Marine Sciences and the Centre for Enzyme Innovation.
Through Revolution Plastics, the University is creating best practice for addressing plastic pollution, both internally and externally; generating a globally-relevant community of plastics researchers and contributing to the sustainable transition of the city of Portsmouth as a prototype and showcase for a sustainable plastics future. The University is uniquely placed as an independent evidence provider at the interface of government, businesses, citizens, and researchers.
Book your place today to help shape a sustainable future for our planet.