Overcoming Plastic Pollution: Challenges Faced by Brazilian Policies and Perspectives for Stakeholder Engagement and Global Governance Opportunities

Abstract

This policy position paper begins with a historical overview of the invention and uses of various plastic types, particularly polyethylene, which has become the most widely used plastic commercially. It highlights the rapid growth of our dependence on plastics and the subsequent mismanagement, which has led to their omnipresent and pervasive presence as pollutants, threatening biodiversity, climate change, ocean health, economic sustainability, and human health. The paper also provides an overview of plastic draft laws proposed by lawmakers at the Brazilian Houses of Representatives, emphasizing the importance of delivering effective policies, setting targets and priorities, and aligning with global trends to address the plastic pollution crisis and transition towards a circular economy. The section on governance opportunities examines a practical recommendation specific to Brazil, and subsequently presents ambitious pathways for global standardization and implementation of Environment and Social Governance (ESG). Additionally, a policy roadmap is suggested to incorporate existing approaches, promising strategies, UN Ocean Decade targets, and address concerns identified during the negotiations among UN Member States for a binding legal agreement by 2024 (Plastic Pollution INC1). In the last section, I present practices for adapting ocean literacy and scientific knowledge for different audiences, such as lawmakers and waste pickers, to support informed decision-making processes. Additionally, I present an overview of the benefits that transitioning to a new plastic economy can bring, ranging from global to local social justice associated with the triple planetary crisis: pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Science diplomacy and stakeholder involvement are strongly recommended to find solutions to the plastic pollution problem and towards transforming the circular plastics economy.