An independent Scientific Committee on Plastic Pollution (SCOPP)

Abstract

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution seeks to address, among other issues, the science-policy interface of plastic pollution in the forthcoming international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (ILBI) to be finalised in 2024 by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Given the importance of protecting the marine environment from plastic pollution, this paper reviews ILBI and argues that the UNEA should by Resolution establish an independent scientific committee. The committee should have an overarching global, regional, and local presence with institutional openness and accessibility to elucidate the science behind plastic pollution. This paper proposes that an independent scientific approach is preferrable to a combined science-policy institution seen in Secretariats and Conference of Parties in some conventions. The latter often exhibit numerous weaknesses. Establishing an independent scientific committee will ensure the science behind plastic pollution is robust, credible, and effectively informs policy decisions.

Keywords: Governance; Plastics; Pollution; Science-policy interface; Scientific advice; UNEA.