Ahead of the negotiations getting underway, researchers from the University lent their support to a declaration developed by the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, of which Professor Thompson is a co-coordinator.

The declaration urges world leaders to reach an agreement based on the evidence science has provided, but that also delivers global, legally binding obligations applied across the full life cycle of plastics.

It has been signed by around 20 signatories linked to the University, or with close links to it – one of the largest representations from any organisation worldwide.

Reflecting the University’s whole-system approach to addressing plastic and microplastic pollution, the signatories also represent disciplines including marine science, chemistry, environmental science, psychology, and the social sciences.