Researchers from the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Plastics at the University of Oxford have proposed ambitious targets aimed at achieving a sustainable and net-zero plastic economy. Published in Nature, their paper advocates for a fundamental shift in the technical, economic, and policy paradigms governing the global plastics system, which currently contributes over 1 gigatonnes per year of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, equivalent to the combined emissions of Europe's three largest economies. To address this, the authors present a future scenario with four key targets: halving future plastics demand, transitioning to renewable raw materials for production, significantly increasing recycling rates, and minimizing environmental impacts across the entire plastics lifecycle.
Lead author Professor Charlotte Williams emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated action to address the unsustainable nature of the current plastics system and highlights the importance of implementing bold measures swiftly. To achieve this transition, the authors advocate for smart materials design principles tailored to different types of plastics, alongside a timeline of technical, economic, policy, and legal interventions aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Co-author Fernando Vidal underscores the need for a paradigm shift in how plastics are produced, used, and disposed of, with the upcoming UN Global Plastic Treaty presenting a crucial opportunity for transformative change.


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Implementing these targets would not only reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient plastics economy.
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This roadmap for a Circular Carbon Plastics Economy is a good plan.
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Dear George Kariuki Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to University of Oxford by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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The proposed targets by the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Plastics are a crucial step towards addressing the environmental impact of plastic production and consumption, and are essential for creating a sustainable future.
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@walter_lungayi It's essential for us to take action like this to keep our planet healthy
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Seeing researchers doing their best to create solutions to end plastic pollution is promising, our hopes is to live in a planet that is free from plastics
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@elizbeth_gathigia absolutely commendable, this research should be adopted.
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@elizbeth_gathigia Our hope is to live on a planet free from plastics. Let's continue supporting these efforts for a cleaner and healthier world.
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This are great recommendations by the researchers that will guide on the way to circular economy and most importantly doing away with plastics pollution menace.
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@joseph_githinji It's important for us to follow these suggestions to make our planet cleaner and safer.
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Amazing work this scholars are doing. This will provide a great roadmap to the circular economy growth and sustainability
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@Kevin Working with academics and scientists will always ensure we have a shot at beating plastic pollution and even climate change. We have to fund more research on such subjects to help us realize more ways to deal with such menaces
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good step this will reduce pollution
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@rotich_kim Absolutely, this is a positive step that will help reduce pollution.
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This is amazing. A plastic-free world is a safe world for all
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@edwin_wangombe Indeed, aiming for a plastic-free world is truly amazing. It's a safer world for everyone when we reduce our reliance on plastics.
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This is a fabulous idea that will help to ensure no plastic economy is carried out.
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@chris_ndungu Yes, we should end the plastic pollution in the world and have a plastic-free planet
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It is commendable that the researchers are proposing ways that will help ensure that we have a zero plastic economy.
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@jane_wangui A zero plastic economy is one of curbing the climate change crisis and ending plastic pollution menace
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Must going faster rhan this