Exploring the Option of a New Global Agreement on Marine Plastic Pollution – A Guide to the Issues

Contents

Abstract

3 6 7 8

List of figures

List of abbreviations

Foreword

Executive summary

10

1. Introduction

12 13 13 16 17 21 24 24 25 25

Objective Structure

2. The story so far

2.1 The UNEA process

2.2 Growing calls for a newglobal agreement

3. What is a global agreement?

3.1 Basic terms and clarifications

Designations Binding force

Purpose, structure, and treaty elements 27 3.2 Typical challenges in designing effective agreements 28 Articulating a convincing rationale for a treaty 28 Identifying the most effective regulatory interventions 29 Incentivizing participation and compliance 30 4. A new global agreement on marine plastic pollution? 32 4.1 Formulating a shared understanding of the issue 33 Identifying the transboundary properties 33 4.2 Articulating obligations, commitments, and authorizations 34 Disaggregating the problem and identifying priority categories 36

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