Actions for UK policymakers and funders Policymakers and funders have a key role to play in incentivising, supporting and sustaining research and innovation. We recommend the following steps for UK governments and funding bodies:
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Establish a national chemicals regulator that bring greater cohesiveness and connectivity across government departments, recognising the current coordination challenge across departments. Ensure UKRI recognises PLFs as a large-scale sustainability challenge linked to its ‘Building a Green Future' strategic theme, to signal the potential value of research proposals linked to the two PLFs missions. Encourage the UK Government, UKRI, ARIA and other research funders to recognise the sustainability challenge PLFs present and acknowledge the innovation opportunities from sustainable PLFs.
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Actions for supranational policymakers and funders Supranational policymakers such as the UN and European Union and funders can support the transition through the following measures:
Integrate the concept of PLFs into overarching international policy frameworks, such as the UN Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and the Prevention of Pollution; the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; the European Green Deal; and the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. Call on the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and OECD to work with industry to establish new metrics for scrutiny protocols pertaining to safety, toxicology and sustainability of PLFs.
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Widen future Horizon Europe grants to also focus on non-plastic polymers in their circular bioeconomy joint undertaking calls.
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