Date and time: Monday 11 September, 2023, 3pm-4.30pm CEST
DESCRIPTION
The crisis of climate change and plastic pollution encapsulates the global environmental threats the world faces. The common drivers of these are unsustainable patterns of human consumption and production that underpin current economic developmental paradigms. With the threat of global temperature rising beyond 1.5ºC, and the catastrophic impact of plastic waste including on oceans, the human right implications cannot be overemphasised. Yet, global, and national efforts to address these challenges still fall far short of what is required due to a complex range of factors. Against this backdrop, this panel explores the political economy issues that are inherent in the elimination of plastic waste and climate change mitigation, and the opportunities provided through the prism of the right to a healthy environment in advancing sustainable and inclusive strategies for addressing the challenge of climate change and plastic pollution.
PANEL
| Name | Institutional Affiliation |
| Conveners | |
| Professor Engobo Emeseh | Head, School of Law, University of Bradford |
| Dr. Pedi Obani | Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Bradford |
| Dr. Irekpitan Okukpon | Lecturer, School of Law, University of Bradford |
| Panelists | |
| Piotr Barczak | Circular Economy Programme Manager, African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) Foundation |
| Scott Backler | Climate Change Development Consultant |
| Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu | Director, Green Institute, OGEES/IAS Vanguard Fellow, University of Birmingham |
SUGGESTED READINGS
‘Plastics and Human Rights: Questions and Answers’ (Human Rights Watch, 23 November 2022) accessed 14 August 2023
‘Plastics Treaty: Phase Out Fossil Fuels to End Pollution’ (Human Rights Watch, 15 May 2023) accessed 14 August 2023
Jennifer L. Lavers, Alexander L. Bond, and Charles Rolsky, ‘Far from a Distraction: Plastic Pollution and the Planetary Emergency’ (2022) 272 Biological Conservation 109655