Plastic pollution is caused by multiple actors across the lifecycle of plastics but who is more strategically placed to close the global plastic tap?

Daniel F.

<h2>Who is responsible?</h2>
The honest and short answer is ALL OF US! However, some actors are more strategically placed than others to lead the way. The global plastic value chain has multiple actors from raw material extractors, plastic-producing companies, manufacturing companies such as fast-moving consumer companies, distributors or transporters, the global retail industry, consumers, and waste managers. 
Even though each of these actors (including external factors like governmental policies, consumer preferences, etc) has a part to play in turning off the global plastic tap, the global retail industry (online retailing or e-commerce and physical or in-store) is a major actor in determining the type of goods and services accessible to the market (consumers) and at what cost. They serve as intermediaries between producers/manufacturers and consumers - receiving products directly from manufacturers (normally in wholesale quantities) and reselling them to consumers. They come in various sizes, from multinational establishments (see, for example, <a href="https://moneytransfers.com/news/2022/08/24/retail-statistics">the top 10 global retailers by revenue</a>) to the small/family-run stores around the corner. <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/443522/global-retail-sales/">2021 for instance saw the global retail market generate sales of more than US$ 26 trillion which is forecasted to grow to US$ 31.7 trillion in 2025</a>.&nbsp;
<h2>Global retail presence</h2>
It is estimated that there are more than 2 million brick-and-mortar retail stores (which could be department stores, grocery stores, general merchandise stores, e-commerce enterprises, or a combination of these) globally with some <a href="https://financesonline.com/retail-statistics/">7.9 million</a> online (e-commerce) retailers worldwide serving billions of people annually. In the United Kingdom (UK) for instance, the retail industry consists of over <a href="https://brc.org.uk/climate-roadmap/section-1-context/12-the-uk-retail-industry/#:~:text=The%20retail%20industry%20in%20the,were%20worth%20%C2%A3439%20billion.">300,000 separate enterprises employing over 3 million people which represents over 8 percent of UK jobs</a>. 
Leading goods and services provided by the global retail industry include inter alia motor vehicles, fashion and apparel (microfiber), electronics, leisure and entertainment, home and do-it-yourself, office furniture and supplies, household and pet care, health and beauty, edible groceries, and food and beverages with <a href="https://moneytransfers.com/news/2022/08/24/retail-statistics">fashion and apparel projected to be the fastest-growing sector between 2021 and 2026</a>.&nbsp;
<h2>The global retail industry and plastics</h2>
Interestingly, almost all the goods and services provided by the global retail industry like those mentioned above are either wrapped/contained in plastics (which may explain why the largest use of plastics is in <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution#:~:text=Packaging%20was%20the%20dominant%20use,19%20percent%20of%20the%20total.">packaging at 42 percent</a>) or are products with plastics as its components for example electronics. This has been shown to contribute immensely to global plastic waste generation as the packaging sector generates <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1166582/global-plastic-waste-generation-by-sector/">46 percent of global plastic waste</a> followed by fashion and apparel (textiles) which contributes 15 percent to global plastic waste generation. 
These figures suggest that the use of plastics by the global retail industry and their associates, such as suppliers, pose a serious threat to human health and the environment as a whole. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30803634/">Researchers</a> suggest that there are 1.5 million microfibers present in the aquatic environment alone. Some commentators also estimate that the economic cost of plastic pollution to society is more than <a href="https://www.minderoo.org/no-plastic-waste/reports/the-price-of-plastic-pollution/#:~:text=The%20costs%20to%20society%20from,the%20growing%20global%20plastics%20crisis.">US$100 billion annually</a>. 
In an attempt to close the global plastic tap, the retail industry has been involved in a number of initiatives such as reducing plastic packaging (more can still be done), recycling initiatives, reusable packaging, biodegradable/compostable packaging, and other several strategies for reducing plastic waste. 
However, the global retail industry is yet to truly harness its strategic position in the global plastic value chain to influence the type of plastics its suppliers use towards turning off the global plastic tap. Even though consumers are generally to blame for plastic littering, if the global retail industry prevents and/or limits the quantity and type of plastics that enter the market, littering might also be limited. It is however worth pointing out that plastic pollution is not limited to plastic littering and involves other emissions across the plastic lifecycle. The ensuing section, therefore, offers some thoughts the global retail industry could utilise in truly maximizing its position to influence what gets out into the market and, by extension, the environment in terms of plastics.
<h2>Call to action for the global retail industry</h2>
<h3>Halt the use of non-recyclable single-use plastics in packaging</h3>
For any product to be sustainable, a life cycle assessment or an environmental product declaration must be conducted to know how it will impact the environment throughout its life cycle. Why then will companies produce and use plastics that are not currently recyclable? The global retail industry must take a stand to eliminate all plastics that are currently not recyclable from its product line. 40 years ago, most products were packaged in paper. We can surely go back to those times. 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/29/mars-bar-wrappers-changed-to-paper-from-plastic-in-uk-trial">Mars</a> is currently trying this in 500 Tesco stores across the UK. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/03/quality-street-axes-plastic-wrappers-paper-nestle">Nestl&eacute;</a> also announced a few months ago that it is replacing the traditional plastic packaging of its Quality Street brand with recyclable paper. Imagine the impact this action will have if over 2 million brick-and-mortar retail stores and 7.9 million online stores do not receive products wrapped in non-recyclable plastics. I am certainly not oblivious of the fact that this might be difficult for small retailers but multinational retailers can surely lead this charge with their purchasing power when sourcing products from suppliers. Collaboration between retailers and suppliers is the way to go but retailers need to make their stance clear to kick-start the change. 
This is nothing new as the biggest retailer in the world (Walmart) throughout its history has engaged directly with their suppliers such as Proctor &amp; Gamble to determine inter alia product quality and pricing. If teams from multinational retailers and suppliers could be set up to agree on product quality and pricing, then surely the same can be done to agree on the phasing out of non-recyclable single-use plastics in packaging as a first step towards closing the plastic tap. Manufacturers and suppliers must therefore ensure that the global retail industry (particularly those with high purchasing power) and their associate waste management firms have a say in packaging design to produce packaging that can be managed during the end-of-life phase. 
This could be guided by retailers developing a supplier code of conduct for plastic products and products with plastic packaging which is informed by inter alia the international sustainability criteria for plastics being proposed under the ongoing global plastic treaty negotiations. Suppliers can then be assessed for compliance using performance metrics which can then inform future selection, audit, and review processes. Retailers must endeavour to report these sustainability performance data using applicable global, regional, and national reporting frameworks (standards and guidelines) which could be a valuable source of valid product data.
<h3>Reduce single-use plastics</h3>
Although <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201915651">plastic recycling</a> has its <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/pol.20190261">benefits</a>, there are also <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/what-plastic-types-to-recycle/">drawbacks</a> as recycling plants have been shown to pollute the air, water (ground and surface water), and land. Hence, preventing excessive use of recyclable single-use plastics in packaging will be a step in the right direction. The global retail industry needs to conduct analyses to find out which departments (e.g., fruit and vegetables, confectionery, meat, fish, etc) contribute to their overall plastic footprint and how that can be reduced. This is necessary as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.12420">studies</a> show that perishable food is the highest food waste source in the UK occurring mostly in <a href="http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Household%20food%20waste%20restated%20data%202007-2015.pdf">homes rather than during transit from food service providers to retailers</a> which might have an even greater environmental consequence compared to plastics. 
Therefore, continuous investment in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2011.02756.x">research, innovation, and technology</a> on how the shelf life of fresh produce and other perishable foods can be extended without losing their nutrients must be encouraged. These technologies must however be energy efficient after all the biggest contributor to climate change is fossil fuel-derived energy, not fossil fuel-derived plastics. It is worth pointing out that <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65124883">some consumers</a> may find this change distasteful but the task for the global retail industry is to ensure that safe alternatives used maintain the same product quality or improves it in order to change public perception.
<h3>Contribute towards the reduction of the complex plastic waste stream</h3>
Many plastic products contribute to the complex waste stream of plastics which usually leads to the contamination of recycled materials. Take, for example, a plastic bottle that might be made of PET/HDPE, the cap made of PP, and the labels usually made of LDPE. Additionally, the plastic sleeves on the bottles cannot be recycled and can therefore be problematic in recycling plants except segregation is done at the source which is normally not the case. 
Moreover, plastic products made with two or more plastic resin types like toothpaste tubes are also difficult to recycle. Even though some companies have made progress in developing recyclable toothpaste tubes like <a href="https://www.colgateprofessional.com/students-faculty/trending-topics/finally-sustainable-toothpaste-tube#:~:text=Most%20toothpaste%20tubes%20are%20made,the%20toothpaste's%20flavour%20and%20fluoride.">Colgate</a> and <a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2021/unilever-to-introduce-recyclable-toothpaste-tubes/">Unilever (to be introduced in 2025)</a>, the global retail industry should demand this for all brands whose products contribute to the complexity of the plastic waste stream. 
Retail companies particularly multinationals with high purchasing power need to conduct a product assessment of all brands within their product portfolio to know which brands need to reduce the rate at which they contribute to the complexity of the plastic waste stream. The sustainability, product, buying, and research and development (where applicable) teams of global retail firms must continue to work together with manufacturers (at the beginning of the plastic value chain and waste management firms at the end of the plastic value chain and other stakeholders) to find a solution in using sustainable materials.
<h3>Change customer behaviour&nbsp;</h3>
Even though legislation and citizen education and awareness have a role to play in changing customer behaviour, a direct economic cost to consumers could be a more persuasive approach. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355770X19000329">Research</a> has shown that bans, for example on plastic bags, are only effective when enforcement, monitoring, and more importantly sanctioning systems are strengthened. This also creates another problem with the black market sale of plastics. 
There are conversations in some circles that public shaming can be used to change customer behaviour in minimising indiscriminate waste disposal which may be true, but a more effective approach could be to limit access by increasing the cost. Is not a surprise that gold bars and other precious stones cannot be found on the ground on any normal day but plastics can. While the global retail industry can lead this charge, it will also need governments to remove subsidies on fossil fuel-derived plastics.
<h3>Incentives</h3>
To boost the plastic recovery capacity of the global retail industry, incentives can be used to reward clients who separate their plastic waste at source and transport it to stores when they come for shopping. The retail industry can design reward systems such as points that reduce the prices of some items based on the weight of plastics returned. This will also ensure that the plastic waste stream is clean to improve recyclability and reduce the pollution that emanates from recycling plants.
<h2>Concluding remarks</h2>
Each firm within the global retail industry must set targets on how each of these actions will be achieved (e.g., target for phasing out non-recyclable single-use plastics and single-use plastic reduction) and must report progress in its sustainability report annually. This will help assess the global plastic footprint of the global retail industry which can inform decision-making now and in the future noting that the global plastic treaty will soon be concluded and could guide future amendments of the treaty.
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Future Thought Leaders is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of rising Sustainability &amp; Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.
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Closing the global plastic tap: whose responsibility is it?

Over 40% of Gen Zs and millennials would change jobs owing to climate-related perceptions. What are the implications of this mindset for employers and employees alike now and in the future?

<h2>Statistics of Gen Zs and millennials over climate concerns</h2>
A recent <a href="https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/issues/work/content/genzmillennialsurvey.html">Deloitte report</a> estimated that over 40% of Gen Zs and millennials (Gen Y) would change jobs because of climate change-related concerns. This should communicate to employers that, the talent they are seeking to recruit or maintain has climate-related issues as a key criterion (third only after high-cost living and unemployment) in making career decisions such as which firms to join, remain committed to, or collaborate with. Specifically, some 55% of Gen Zs and 54% of millennials conduct a search on the ESG metrics of a firm before deciding to commit to them which shows the importance of sustainability reporting. This figure represents more than half of the available talent (workforce) firms are currently competing for. 
Interestingly, on one hand, 17% of Gen Zs have already changed jobs due to climate concerns compared to 16% of millennials. On the other hand, more than 20% of Gen Zs and millennials are already thinking of changing jobs. To employers reading this, your top talents might be part of this statistic. Why don&rsquo;t you try and conduct an anonymous poll in your firm among Gen Zs (1997-2012) and millennials (Gen Y &ndash; 1981-1996) on whether they will leave their current job because of climate concerns to know the state of thinking of your current workforce and the number of people you&rsquo;re likely to lose as a firm? I believe employees reading this won&rsquo;t mind participating in such a simple poll.
In the meantime, the report also noted that 53% of Gen Zs and 48% of millennials are already of the view that their firms have removed their foot from the gas pedal as far as sustainability efforts are concerned which is contrary to what executives think as a <a href="https://www.deloitte.com/content/dam/assets-shared/legacy/docs/2023-deloitte-cxo-sustainability-report.pdf">separate report revealed 75 percent</a> of executives say they have increased sustainability investments over the last year. This disparity already defeats corporate governance principles as transparency and accountability among employers and employees are clearly lacking. 
How can investments be on the rise yet employees do not experience the impacts of this in the day-to-day operations of the firm? Another question that needs to be asked is who is leading these initiatives. Are firms bringing employees along? Do employees know what sustainability investment in their firm means to their jobs? Maybe just maybe, executives are investing in carbon offset schemes that check the boxes but clearly do not translate to greening the day-to-day operations of the firm. What does the foregoing discussion mean for employers and employees alike? The remaining part of this article examines these briefly in turn.
<h2>Implication for employers</h2>
<h3>Increased competition for keeping top talent</h3>
Although maintaining top talent involves several factors, business leaders should ensure climate concerns is not a contributing factor to losing their top talent. How so? About 60% of Gen Zs and 57% of millennials have experienced some level of climate change anxiety recently, which has impacted their decisions, such as food choices, and family planning, and may contribute to mental health issues because of stress. Employers will therefore have to prioritise these concerns in order to keep their top talent as climate change anxiety goes further than just environmental concerns and may have mental health connotations which altogether might contribute to the unproductivity of employees. This includes <a href="https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoices/rethinking-compensation-and-rewards-to-advance-employees-sustainable-lifestyle-hr-are-you-there">reviewing compensation and reward packages of current staff</a> to enhance a sustainable lifestyle considering the high cost of living amid economic uncertainties as well as creating channels that make Gen Zs and millennials feel comfortable talking about these issues with their employers. 
Additionally, business leaders must be ethical in conducting business which ensures the overall benefit of the society in which they operate as well as bringing their top talent along the sustainability drive by allowing them to lead sustainability initiatives where applicable thereby contributing to the content of the firm&rsquo;s sustainability reports. This inclusive approach can create climate champions within the firm and contribute to decreasing the employee turnover rate.
<h3>Need to adjust recruitment and retention strategies&nbsp;</h3>
Businesses and their recruitment teams must be aware of what the financial priorities of employees are to develop packages that are appealing to them in order to attract them to their firms. For example, Gen Zs and millennials would like to prioritize environmental sustainability in their lifestyle but are unable due to financial constraints as 50% of Gen Zs and millennials live from paycheck to paycheck. Gen Zs and Millennials are also cautious of greenwashing and therefore the sales and marketing teams of businesses must be aware of this fact in order not to create a negative perception of their firm to prospective employees. 
Employers must therefore develop and implement policies that inform recruitment and retention strategies to adapt to changing expectations of employees. This might include a commitment to creating and advertising green collar jobs (thus jobs that reduce rather than contribute to carbon emissions especially jobs that are highly climate reliant like industrial jobs) and proposing remuneration packages that will ensure prospective employees can adequately prioritise and afford a sustainable lifestyle (e.g., providing sustainable modes of transport, opting for sustainable packaging and fashion brands, etc). 
<h3>Need to create a workplace culture</h3>
As noted above, there seems to be a disparity between employers and employees about whether their firms are engaged in sustainability initiatives. To bridge this gap, business leaders must create a climate-resilient workplace culture by implementing an inclusive climate-resilient policy within their firms especially knowing that climate change is ranked as a top three issue by CxOs according to <a href="https://www.deloitte.com/content/dam/assets-shared/legacy/docs/2023-deloitte-cxo-sustainability-report.pdf">the Deloitte 2023 CxO Sustainability Report</a>. This might include identifying climate-resilient behaviours and standards that are acceptable in the firm (might differ from firm to firm) which prioritizes sustainability, and greens the entire supply chain (including technologies) of the business through a balanced and diversified carbon-related investment in its operations. 
Others include setting a target towards being a low-carbon firm by restructuring existing aspects of the business that currently increases their carbon footprint; encouraging more flexible work environments and flexible work arrangements; providing training to upskill and retrain employees in climate change topics and more importantly how it relates to their jobs, strategies to reducing single-use plastics, designing eco-friendly workplaces; and increasing job mobility within firms, etc. Ultimately, this will define what the company and its employees do, and drive change in the firm through a bottom-up approach to encourage climate-friendly behaviours, creativity, and networking toward implementing sustainability initiatives.
<h2>Implication for employees</h2>
<h3>Increased responsibility&nbsp;</h3>
Sustainability presents employees with the chance to take personal responsibility for how their actions contribute to climate change. It cannot be that Gen Zs and millennials are lamenting on the one hand that they would not work for firms that are not climate-friendly and on the other hand, they are not climate friendly themselves. In other words, they are not walking the talk. From food wastage to excessive shopping sprees (fast fashion culture), Gen Zs and millennials must be climate-friendly not just in words. 
Taking responsibility through their actions can create platforms in their firms to push the sustainability agenda. In cases where firms do not offer opportunities for training, individuals could apply to their employers for funds for retraining and justify how the training could benefit the firm if employers do not currently see the direct and indirect benefits. Employees should also look out for free training to develop themselves if they cannot afford paid courses. Once their capacity is developed and the firm realises their potential, this could increase their bargaining power going forward.
<h3>Increased job opportunities to make a difference</h3>
Considering that <a href="https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/issues/climate/work-toward-net-zero.html?id=gx:2el:3pr:4work_toward_net_zero:5GC1000045:6abt:20221101:gc1000136">800 million jobs</a> are prone to climate extremes with <a href="https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/issues/climate/work-toward-net-zero.html?id=gx:2el:3pr:4work_toward_net_zero:5GC1000045:6abt:20221101:gc1000136">Deloitte&rsquo;s Work toward net zero report</a>, suggesting that over 300 million jobs can be created in the next 27 years globally through decarbonization opportunities, employees have many opportunities in the coming years to join firms that align with their values. It also creates opportunities for employees to help create new green collar jobs within their firms or create new firms themselves that will offer meaningful green jobs that make real-life impacts while ensuring a fair and just transition as firms continue to embrace sustainability.&nbsp;
<h2>Implications for the future</h2>
This means that both employers and employees must be disruptive thinkers and doers as the workplace evolves in the midst of climate concerns. It also means that there should be transparency and accountability among others across the board in order to scale sustainability initiatives of firms and to effectively measure how much is spent on these initiatives vis a vis the real-life impact it has on employees, employers, the firm, and its associated partners, and the community within which they operate.
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Future Thought Leaders is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of rising Sustainability &amp; Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.
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Job (in)security among Gen Zs and millennials over climate concerns: what does this mean for employers and employees of tomorrow?

As sustainable energy transition continues to grow, we must not lose sight of what sustainable process engineering can offer actors in the renewable and  non-renewable energy space toward sustainability and profitability

Nathaniel

It is indeed possible for sustainable process engineering to enhance sustainability and profitability in the energy sector. Let&rsquo;s dive in together by first examining the concept of sustainability in the energy sector.
<h2>The concept of sustainability in the energy sector&nbsp;</h2>
Sustainability in the energy sector has largely been concerned with the shift (just and sustainable energy transition) from <a href="https://www.eesi.org/topics/fossil-fuels/description#:~:text=Overview,percent%20of%20the%20world's%20energy.">fossil fuels</a> such as coal, oil, and natural gas which have been powering the global economy for centuries to renewable energy sources. Even though we acknowledge that renewable energy sources have a great potential to contribute to the global energy mix, we are not oblivious to the fact <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix#:~:text=Despite%20producing%20more%20and%20more,in%20the%20last%2010%20years.">fossil fuels still power the global economy</a> today. <a href="https://www.eesi.org/topics/fossil-fuels/description#:~:text=Fossil%20fuels%E2%80%94including%20coal%2C%20oil,percent%20of%20the%20world's%20energy.">The Environmental and Energy Study Institute</a> reported in 2021 that fossil fuel-derived energy makes up over 80 percent of energy <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix#:~:text=Despite%20producing%20more%20and%20more,in%20the%20last%2010%20years.">(oil &ndash; 33.1%, coal 27%, and gas &ndash; 24.3%) used by the world currently with only 15.7% being renewables energy sources</a> such as hydropower, solar, wind, bioenergy. <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix#:~:text=Despite%20producing%20more%20and%20more,in%20the%20last%2010%20years.">Available data</a> also shows that the burning of fossil fuels for energy is not decreasing as in the last decade, total fossil fuel production has <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix#:~:text=Despite%20producing%20more%20and%20more,in%20the%20last%2010%20years.">increased from 116,214 to 136,761 TWh</a>; even though the general production of <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-balances-overview/world">fossil fuels decreased in 2020 relative to 2019 (-5%)</a> largely due to the global COVID-19 health crisis. 
So let&rsquo;s not deceive ourselves here, though low-carbon energy sources (i.e., <a href="https://www.routledge.com/blog/article/what-is-sustainable-energy-and-why-do-we-need-it#:~:text=Sustainable%20energy%2C%20such%20as%20wind,change%20and%20polluting%20our%20earth.">sustainable energy</a>) would be ideal and must be encouraged and promoted, currently fossil fuel-derived energy sources still play a big part in the world&rsquo;s total energy mix considering that <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix#:~:text=Despite%20producing%20more%20and%20more,in%20the%20last%2010%20years.">75% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are traced to burning fossil fuel derived energy.</a> Interestingly, the energy sector of the <a href="https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-science-and-knowledge-activities/energy-solutions_en">European Union contributes 75% of its GHG emission</a>. Therefore sustainability in the energy sector should not only be discussed within the realms of just transition to renewables but how to ensure energy security in providing energy to all people to meet their basic needs infinitely by utilising resources efficiently when using (both renewables and non-renewable energy sources) to promote healthy living and economic growth while minimising the negative impact of the energy sector in order not to compromise the environment.
Fossil fuels, like all other natural resources, are not bad. The problem is how that natural resource is exploited. Just look around yourself and think through the question of whether the 21st century can live without fossil fuels. For us, yes but we must be ready to adapt accordingly. <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.2760/863694">The Global Energy and Climate Outlook</a> has forecasted that the share of fossil fuel-derived energy in global trade would drop by 80% in 2050 compared to today. 
That said, let&rsquo;s not be quick to forget that the benefits of fossil fuel transcend energy and include by-products such as plastics which are used in sectors such as packaging, agriculture, textile, construction, healthcare, and electronics &ndash; like the phone or laptop you might be reading this on. Although the issue of sustainability has been raised on several platforms such as <a href="https://cop27.eg/#/news/78/Egypt's%20COP27%20Presidency%20sets%20">COP27</a> where the importance of a sustainable economic model for energy transition was highlighted, we believe the world needs to have a conversation on whether we can live without fossil fuels with meaningful participation of Gen Zs and Millennials in order to decide the way forward. In the meantime, we propose below that sustainable process engineering could contribute immensely to the sustainability and profitability of the energy sector.&nbsp;
Sustainable process engineering in the energy sector&nbsp;
<a href="https://blogs.cranfield.ac.uk/energy/what-is-process-engineering/">Process Engineering</a> can be defined as the understanding and application of principles and laws, that enables one to convert any raw material into a desired product through chemical, physical or biological process. It primarily deals with the design, operation, control, optimization, and enhancement of processes and can be employed across several sectors that depend on energy to function such as chemical, petrochemical, food, drinks, water, and pharmaceutical sectors. 
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110717136">Sustainable process engineering</a> (SPE) on the other hand is a methodology to design new and redesign existing processes that follow the principles of green chemistry and green engineering, and ultimately contribute to sustainable development. SPE also involves the use of economics, lifecycle assessment, project management skills, and use of computer-aided tools to solve engineering problems (see Fig. 1 below) and has been applied in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-019-00083-w">several studies</a>.&nbsp; SPE in the energy sector could include <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-018-0053-2">optimization of polygeneration systems</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-018-0055-0">biomass tri-generation systems</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-018-0069-7">modeling of solar and biomass hybrid power generation</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-018-0060-3">optimization of oxy-combustion, and gasification power plant</a>, and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-018-0054-1">energy end-use technologies</a>. SPE can also be used in other sectors such as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-019-00082-x">manufacturing</a> and the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-018-0037-2">biomass industry</a>.
Figure 1: <a href="https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/engineering-design-process">Engineering Design Process</a>
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://illuminem.b-cdn.net/articlebody/49d3407c92a80add0b0cf10fb257d73fba6451ca.jpg?" alt="" />
In other to achieve sustainability and profitability in the energy sector, SPE could be used to among others:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Research ((re)design, (re)integrate, and optimise) the development of existing and new energy plant processes and equipment to improve the performance of energy models/plants now and in the future toward a sustainable energy transition.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Monitor and evaluate processes, markets, and policies to ensure efficient operation of the energy sector.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Improve waste management and control of environmental pollution.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Analyse (process, equipment, model) and present real-time data to stakeholders to enhance decision-making within the energy sector.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Having identified some general contributions SPE could offer towards the sustainability and profitability of the energy sector, the remainder of the article briefly discusses the benefits. For the benefits discussed below to resonate with readers, we use ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) factors to categorise the benefits SPE could provide toward sustainability and profitability in the energy sector.
<h3>Environmental</h3>
Several environmental factors are important as a metric for sustainability such as waste reduction and management (adoption of waste hierarchy concept), climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies due to greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, the environmental impact of the entire supply chain of the energy firm, product sustainability and eco-design (adopting circular economy principles). SPE can enhance the ability and capacity of a firm to meet these environmental metrics by developing computer-aided models and pilot plants that can be used in curbing any of these environmental problems.
Through SPE, analytical studies can be achieved which will emphasise improving the overall efficiency of waste management projects and plans. SPE can also help in developing infrastructure for both renewable and non-renewable energy sources that improve energy efficiency, improves water usage, emits fewer GHGs, and can be maintained (repaired and upgraded when needed) for a long time particularly renewable infrastructures such as wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels, and batteries which can contribute to saving cost. Furthermore, applying SPE during the design and development of energy infrastructures can help ensure that these equipment are recycled instead of the linear economy model where obsolete infrastructure is either dumped in the deep sea or landfilled. SPE could also be used in developing other technologies such as biomass technology to limit CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and help firms stay within the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06083-8">newly proposed Earth system boundaries</a>.
<h3>Social&nbsp;</h3>
A <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.110754">recent study</a> projected an annual death of some 10.2 million people globally is attributed to fossil fuel combustion with <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/494425/death-rate-worldwide-by-energy-source/#:~:text=Global%20mortality%20rate%20by%20energy%20source&amp;text=The%20deadliest%20energy%20source%20worldwide,produced%20from%20these%20fossil%20fuels.">coal identified as the most deadly</a>. This support the assertion by <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvaa025">scientist</a> that fossil fuel emissions increase among other heart and respiratory diseases which reduces the average life expectancy of the global population. Clean and renewable energy sources also cause deaths albeit lower than fossil fuel-derived energy sources with wind and solar energy recording 0.04 and 0.02 deaths respectively. 
From the socio-economic standpoint, a report by the <a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/planet4-southeastasia-stateless/2020/02/21b480fa-toxic-air-report-110220.pdf">Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)</a> indicated that the cost of burning fossil fuels has on the global economy in terms of lives lost, low productivity due to absence from work, and premature deaths is about USD 8 billion per day or 3.3 percent of global GDP. Social factors such as labour standards and working conditions, human rights practices, and the social impact of a company's supply chain could be enhanced when energy firms apply SPE in their operations to lower emissions to the bearest minimum and reconfigure processes to ensure employees work in a safe working environment. Safe working conditions will also benefit the local communities as more green energy jobs will be created, and power expansion and usage to all stakeholders will also be ensured.
<h3>Governance</h3>
Some specific governance factors that SPE could help improve include transparency and accountability by improving data integration and standardization, audit and&nbsp;risk management&nbsp;processes, compliance with laws and regulations, identifying gaps and designing global sustainability strategies as well as data privacy and security to ensure effective decision-making and oversight. One will ask how so? Well, to begin with, SPE can be used to research, design, model and install equipment with computer-aided programs such as Aspen Plus, Artificial intelligence models that can generate state-of-the-art data analytics to conduct among others cost analysis that will ensure transparency and accountability and boost shareholder confidence. Additionally, available data can also help in evaluating and conducting risk analysis to make informed predictions and forecast eventualities; develop energy transition strategies such as energy storage, energy system models, and energy markets integration; and aid in complying with the appropriate international and national laws and regulations.&nbsp;
<h3>Final thoughts</h3>
To conclude, although the initial financial, technological, and technical burden might be a hurdle in applying SPE towards energy sustainability and profitability, we opine that it is a hurdle worth leaping over considering its long-term benefits.
Future Thought Leaders is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of rising Sustainability &amp; Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.

Can sustainable process engineering enhance sustainability and profitability in the energy sector? 

There is an urgent need to pay more attention to the growing use of plastics in the aerospace industry

Enoch Opare

The race to enhance aerodynamics' efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability practices in the global aircraft manufacturing market has caused industry big players such as Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman, General Electric, Leonardo, Bombardier and others, to adopt material, design, and technological innovations not to only remain competitive but to play the leading role in the Net Zero duel. 
This is no joke as a <a href="https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/aircraft-manufacturing-market">recent study by Polaris Market Research</a> forecast the aircraft manufacturing market to be worth an estimated $626 billion in 2030 from its current estimate of $413 billion in 2021, with the aerospace plastics market projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in the excess of 6.8% from 2021 to 2026. The projected increase in passenger traffic post-pandemic as forecasted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Airport Councils International (ACI) provides assurances of the booming days ahead for the manufacturing industry as they strive to meet new aircraft demands amidst manufacturing bottlenecks.
<h2>The game-changing effect of plastics on the aviation industry&nbsp;</h2>
The use of plastics in aircraft manufacturing dates back over 70 years. However, its application in the 1970s in a post-World War II world quadrupled as Airbus and Boeing began experimenting with the first <a href="https://mag.k-online.com/en/Plastics_in_Aviation">carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components</a>. This revolutionized the industry and continues to have a game-changing impact today as reinforced polymers have significantly altered how airframes are designed and built in civilian, commercial and freighter, and military aircraft. <a href="https://mag.k-online.com/en/Plastics_in_Aviation">For example, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner entered service in 2011 as the first long-haul commercial aircraft made of 50% plastic while Airbus introduced the A350 a few years later with a 52% fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) content.</a> A wide variety of <a href="https://www.plastivision.org/blog/5-types-of-plastic-used-in-the-aerospace-industry/">plastics</a> (Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), Thermosetting Polyimide, Polyamide-imide (PAI), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc.) are used in the manufacturing process from structural components, navigational functions, aircraft doors, aircraft engines, control panels and electrical electronics, air ducts, exterior panels, luggage storage compartments to interior wall panels amongst others. 
The advantages of aircraft weight reduction, production speed, cost-efficiencies, fuel efficiency, corrosion, and chemical and impact resistance make plastics a desirable choice over metal and glass materials for manufacturing. Plastics are also used as ideal materials in the packaging and protection of aerospace equipment during handling and shipping which offers benefits including protection from shocks, erosion, vibrations, extreme temperatures and humidity. Moreover, plastics offer freedom in assembly, versatility, flexibility and customizability of complex geometric designs and shapes.&nbsp;
These varied uses and benefits of plastics in the aircraft manufacturing ecosystem have created a massive aerospace plastic industry with leading industry players such as Victrex plc, Ensinger, SABIC, Solvay, BASF SE, Evonik and Industries AG developing different plastic products to solidify their competitive market position. Most importantly, the recent <a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/aerospace-plastics-market">Aerospace Plastics Market Report (2023)</a> discloses an estimated market size value of $7.61 billion in 2023 with a projected value of $13.89 billion in 2030. 
The expanding demand for plastics for various aerospace applications and functions is anticipated to propel the expansion of the aerospace plastics industry, which also explains why the oil and gas industries are diversifying into the plastic industry. While this expansion cannot be hindered, the argument for sustainable plastics usage in this industry cannot be undervalued as the whole supply and value chain of the manufacturing process makes use of plastics in one way or the other. Thus, the question of how aircraft manufacturers and aerospace plastic producers understand the fatigue limits of the plastics used in this industry, the strategy for &ldquo;sustainable disposal&rdquo; of plastics during the production of aircrafts, and the &ldquo;sustainable end of life management&rdquo; of plastics components from obsolete aircraft is a topical issue that needs more attention for the future of plastics in the aviation industry considering that most plastics used in aircraft manufacturing are currently not recyclable.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Management of plastics by aircraft manufacturing&nbsp;</h2>
Currently, the aviation industry contracts the services of the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) industry for a myriad of aerospace applications with companies in Southeast Asia dominating the field as a result of government policies such as duty-free imports and tax incentives that impact positively on MRO service delivery. Though such policies enhance the business of the MRO industry in reaching more airlines, it does not impact what they do with recovered aircraft components such as plastics nor does it impact how recycling companies in the aviation space operate in terms of end-of-life management of plastics. 
Plastic composites are presently not recyclable and therefore MRO companies and recycling companies within the aviation industry result in old waste management practices such as incineration and landfilling which is not environmentally sustainable in the long run. Thus, most recovered plastics and leftover plastics during the production of aircrafts are barely reused as secondary unconsumed plastics in making new aircrafts, further compounding the issue of fast-depleting landfill space and the overreliance on fossil fuel for raw materials to produce fossil fuel-derived plastics. 
Even though recycling is touted as one of the best options for plastic waste management, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-396459-5.00013-1">research</a> shows that volatile gases which kill plant structures and wildlife when inhaled are released during the recycling process. This also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and acid rain affecting the terrestrial and aquatic environment (biodiversity loss) in diverse ways especially those residing close to recycling plants. Aircrafts that are left in huge graveyards for aging and retired aircrafts are exposed to environmental conditions results in the the fragmentation of the plastic parts in aircrafts, contributing to microplastic pollution. The ensuing paragraphs, therefore, highlight some recommendations the aviation industry could adopt to engender the sustainable use of plastics in the aircraft manufacturing and servicing industry.
<h2>Green investment in alternatives</h2>
While <a href="https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/94125-the-growing-role-of-plastics-in-aerospace-assembly">plastics</a> are a <a href="https://www.mobilityengineeringtech.com/component/content/article/adt/pub/features/articles/32727">burgeoning component in aerospace manufacturing</a>, aviation manufacturers should avert their actions to investing in green aerospace technologies that maximize plastic use and eliminate or limit plastic waste during aircraft manufacturing. Plastics still present a lot of <a href="https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/the-benefits-of-using-plastic-parts-in-aerospace-applications/">limitations</a> in this sector such as deformity issues, fatigue limits, and brittleness (generating microplastics) during the extended service life of aircrafts. Investing in research to develop alternatives that are resistant to these issues is key to ensuring safety. 
Additionally, investing in procuring plastic alternatives that have the ability to be recycled with little to no emissions during their end-of-life stage is also crucial. Plastic producers for the aviation industry could also test non-fossil fuel-derived plastics to limit overreliance on fossil fuel-derived plastics. Research and development among industry players should also be encouraged to allow co-learning and collaboration in the field to prevent the use of plastic resins that do not currently have an end-of-life management plan. Investment should also focus on advancing technologies that can effectively manage plastics that are currently used in aircraft manufacturing which would contribute to reducing the plastic footprint of the aviation industry.
<h2>Develop and fully implement international sustainability criteria for plastic use in aircraft manufacturing</h2>
The ongoing negotiation of the global plastic treaty is considering the development of international sustainability criteria to harmonize plastics use towards sustainability. Aircraft manufacturers, their associated original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), relevant stakeholders such as (IATA and ICAO) and <a href="https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/aerospace-plastics-market">aerospace plastic market leaders</a> (including Paco Plastics Inc., 3P Performance Plastics products, Loar Group Inc., Ensinger GmbH, Toray Industries, Inc.,) could work together to develop international sustainability criteria for plastics used by aerospace OEMs patterned after the proposed international sustainability criteria for plastics being considered for the global plastic treaty. 
Adopting such an approach could be a similar procedure to harmonize plastics that are used in the aircraft manufacturing space and therefore limiting the complexity of the plastic waste stream that is generated. As plastics have more than <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.est.1c00976?source=cen">10,000 chemical additives, processing aids, and monomers with over 2000 recognized as being potentially hazardous</a>, the criteria could specify inter alia the additives to be used; types of plastic resins to be used for plastic used in aircraft manufacturing; labeling; circularity measures; its end-user application; flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) standards; annual plastic sustainability report, the management of plastic residue (including macro, micro and nano-plastics) in the production stage, end-of-life management such as pyrolysis as <a href="https://insights.globalspec.com/article/12596/thermoplastic-composites-for-aerospace-applications">thermoplastics composites are increasingly being used in aerospace applications compared to thermoset composites</a>; and bioremediation.
<h2>Adhering to existing international treaties and environmental management systems&nbsp;</h2>
Since plastics are primarily made of chemicals and carbon, it is imperative that the aerospace plastic industry adheres to the tenets of existing treaties that regulate chemicals and some aspects of plastics (for example, plastic trade) such as the <a href="http://www.basel.int/tabid/8335">Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions</a>. Others associated with human health, safety, and the environment include inter alia <a href="https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12000:0::NO:::">International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions</a> such as the Chemicals Conventions, Benzene Convention, Occupational Safety and Health Convention, and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention. 
Additionally, environmental management systems such as <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/60857.html">ISO 14001</a> which covers pollution prevention and compliance could also be adopted.
<h2>Governmental policies&nbsp;</h2>
Domestic legislation has already been used in banning some single-use plastics in many countries such as Bangladesh, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Rwanda, and France. The use of domestic legislation to ban or restrict the use of plastics with no end-of-life management option could also be considered. Economic measures such as taxes and incentive-based solutions could be used as a two-edged sword &ndash; in encouraging or reprimanding companies manufacturing plastic for the aviation manufacturing industry and aviation manufacturers themselves to up their game as far as using sustainable plastics is concerned.&nbsp;
<h2>Concluding remarks&nbsp;</h2>
Plastics undoubtedly have contributed to enhancing the daily lives of people through their basic applications across various economic sectors. However, their physicochemical composition has negatively impacted human health and the environment. Adopting the aforementioned measures could serve as a step in the right direction for the aviation (plastic) manufacturing industry to minimize plastic pollution and by extension their plastic footprint towards a more sustainable use of plastics.
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The use of sustainable plastics in aviation (I/II): do aircraft manufacturers have a strategy for disposal and reuse?

Millions of people lose their lives or become incapacitated in the workplace in their bid to fend for themselves and their families

Thrive, survive or die: strengthening health, safety and environment (HSE) issues in the world of work

The multifaceted nature of global plastic pollution has rendered conventional responses to global plastic governance ineffective as existing legal measures are fragmented. This piece journeys through the need to consider a systems perspective as a new approach to global plastic governance.

The rate of fossil fuel-derived plastic (FFP) production and waste is on the ascendency. This is driven by the increased diversification of oil and gas companies. The economic cost of this linear approach exhibited by the global plastic economy has been estimated to be more than <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2019.00627/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US$2.2 trillion per year</a> with more than <a href="https://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/viewer/Plastic-Waste-Management-and-Leakage-in-Latin-America-and-the-Caribbean.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8.3 billion metric tons</a> of plastic produced since the first plastic item was created. The environmental consequences are also dire, affecting freshwater systems, oceans and seas, contributing to climate change, and contributing to biodiversity loss. For example, the ocean is filled with approximately <a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ocean-trash-525-trillion-pieces-and-counting-big-questions-remain/" target="_self">5.25 trillion</a> pieces of plastic while microplastic contamination has been estimated to be <a href="https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en?details=CA0362EN%2f" target="_self">4-32 times more on land</a> than in the ocean.&nbsp;
<h2>Conventional response to global plastics governance</h2>
The conventional response to the multifarious problem of global plastic pollution has come from the national, regional, and international levels, albeit focusing on only some aspects of plastic pollution and predominantly on what happens during the end-of-life stage using enforcement or ICE (information, communication, and education) strategies, taxes, and EPR schemes among others. These are aimed at encouraging source separation, and/or recycling, or to prevent plastic production in the first place with outright bans. Few take into consideration design for environment (DfE) processes not to talk about the entire lifecycle of plastics. This is so because sectors (such as the packaging sector) that use plastics in most countries import the polymer resin used to produce the plastic product and hence do not have to deal with pollution emanating from other stages (usually upstream and midstream) of the plastic lifecycle.&nbsp;
Following this thought, the more waste management infrastructure is improved, the less plastic waste will be seen in the environment, which translates to a reduction in plastic pollution. One is therefore tempted to suggest that eliminating plastics that have reached the end of their life from getting into the environment indiscriminately will solve the problem; but more often than not, it tends not to be so as that represents only one piece of the puzzle. This approach results in more and more plastic being produced which often overwhelms the waste management system till it gets to the point where what seemed to be the perfect solution doesn&rsquo;t hold. This is so because the end-of-life stage does not control the production and use of plastics and plastic-related products, nor does it drive demand and supply exchanges among industry and consumers (the population). 
In other words, actions designed to solve the problem tend to make it rather worse due to unforeseen side effects emanating from a myopic viewpoint. It is therefore prudent to observe that every stage within the life cycle of plastics should be seen as a system on its own that generates pollution through different feedback loops instead of just a mere stage within the entire lifecycle. This then opens up a whole new perspective as legislation can then be designed to address peculiar issues from each system, leaving no stone unturned.&nbsp;
<h2>A systems perspective towards sustainability</h2>
It is against this backdrop that a systems perspective is recommended as it opens a wide variety of possibilities to solving a problem instead of a fixed approach. As a result, it helps in making informed decisions based on gradually understanding the interconnectedness of the system and how one strategy adopted affects other elements, thereby leading to the sustainability of any system. According to Jay Forrester, a system can be defined as <a href="https://systemdynamics.org/product/principles-of-systems-1968/" target="_self">a grouping of parts that operate together for a common purpose together for a common purpose</a>. System thinking finds its roots in the concept of systems dynamics which sets out as a different form of analysis to fundamentally test new concepts within social systems to improve one&rsquo;s understanding. 
The need for systems thinking therefore transcends academic disciplines and comprises different decision-making procedures, work and process flows, attitudes and perceptions, as well as product quality. In <a href="https://systemdynamics.org/product/principles-of-systems-1968/" target="_self">Principles of Systems</a>, Forrester defines system thinking as a set of synergistic analytic skills used to improve the capability of identifying and understanding systems, predicting their behaviors, and devising modifications to them in order to produce desired effects. 
Conclusions drawn from a systemic thinking approach are therefore often unique from the conventional types of analysis as elements that influence complex issues (such as feedback from each stage of the plastic lifecycle, ineffective coordination among actors across the global plastic value chain, or fragmentation within existing multilateral environmental agreements that regulates aspects of the plastic pollution problem) are better understood which may contribute to the effectiveness of global plastic governance. Barry Richmond, a scholar in the field believed to have coined the term &lsquo;systems thinking&rsquo; captures its essence beautifully in his <a href="http://static.clexchange.org/ftp/documents/whyk12sd/Y_1993-05STFourKeyQuestions.pdf" target="_self">writings</a> saying:&nbsp;
<blockquote>
As interdependency increases, we must learn to learn in a new way. It's not good enough simply to get smarter and smarter about our particular "piece of the rock". We must have a common language and framework for sharing our specialized knowledge, expertise, and experience with "local experts" from other parts of the web. We need a systems Esperanto. Only then will we be equipped to act responsibly. In short, interdependency demands systems thinking. Without it, the evolutionary trajectory that we've been following since we emerged from the primordial soup will become increasingly less viable.
</blockquote>
Peter Senge in his seminal work <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pfi.4170300510" target="_self">The Fifth Discipline, the Art and Practice of the Learning Organization</a> advocates that systems thinking should be able to test policies as well as incorporate multiple perspectives, and dependably foretell the impact stemming from systems change thereby enhancing responsiveness to pressing global problems. Policymakers and decision-makers, therefore, need to be abreast with systems thinking (thus understanding the stocks and flows, feedback loops, gaps, delays, and leverage points) and the potential of seeing problems from a systems perspective in developing and implementing solutions to dynamic and complex global issues such as plastic pollution.&nbsp;
<a href="https://thesystemsthinker.com/the-thinking-in-systems-thinking-how-can-we-make-it-easier-to-master/" target="_self">Barry Richmond</a> points out that the component of systems builds on each other and that each stage has the potential to provide a solution or serve as a precursor for the next stage. It is therefore prudent to say that every stage across the life cycle of plastics should be seen as a system on its own that generates pollution through different feedback loops instead of just a mere stage within the entire lifecycle. For example, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13069" target="_self">research</a> has shown that the system perspective enhances circularity by effectively detecting root causes (both internal and external) that prompted the rollout of countermeasures to solve it.&nbsp;
<h2>A systems perspective on legislation&nbsp;</h2>
This opens up a whole new perspective as legislation can then be designed to address peculiar issues from the plastic system and how that relates to other systems such as the plastic effect on the Earth system leaving no stone unturned. Having a panoramic view from the systems thinking perspective would permit suitable solutions to be proffered, be they short, medium, or long-term which would be evident in designing legal frameworks that address the right concerns, at the right time and place using the right actors. 
Many of the world&rsquo;s significant problems such as plastic pollution are complex and dynamic in nature, and involve numerous stakeholders. Having to tackle these problems, particularly from an international standpoint is notoriously hard as actors have different interests which most often than not leads to traditional solutions which are ineffective in dealing with these problems. Hence, the benefit of approaching these problems from a systems perspective elevates our thinking as stakeholders (both States and <a href="https://ejls.eui.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2023/02/EJLS-142-Akrofi-Shang-Ciesielczuk.pdf" target="_self">non-State actors</a>) to construct answers to these notorious problems plagued with complexities and several interactions (social; economic &ndash; industrial and technological; political &ndash; governments and institutions; and environmental).
<h2>Considerations towards a systems perspective&nbsp;</h2>
One would ask, what then are some steps to consider in engendering a more flexible and systems perspective-based approach to global plastic governance? Here are some thoughts:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Recognising interconnections among relevant actors in order to incorporate multiple perspectives across the global plastic value chain for an inclusive global plastic governance architecture.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Identifying and understanding feedback among institutions (international organisations, governmental and non-governmental) and sectors involved in global plastic governance.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Understanding the complex system structure and dynamic behaviour of relevant (different) actors operating within the global plastic governance architecture.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Differentiating types of stock, flows, and variables that occur at all levels across the global value chain.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Understanding the diverse operational contexts of each system across the global plastic value chain at all levels (local, national, regional, and international) to better the development of the global plastic governance architecture.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Identifying and understanding the non-linear relationships and boundaries that exist among actors across the global value chain.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Reducing the complexity of the plastic pollution problem by modelling the global plastic (system) lifecycle and its interaction with other systems (such as the earth system) conceptually.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Understanding the aforementioned systems at different scales and how it informs the global plastic governance architecture and</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Designing and testing policies based on the understanding gleaned from the interactions between the inter- and intrarelationships and dependencies of the interacting systems.</li>
</ul>
Future Thought Leaders is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of rising Sustainability &amp; Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.

Daniel F. Akrofi

Daniel F. Akrofi

Closing the global plastic tap: whose responsibility is it?

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