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Ending fossil-based growth: Confronting the political economy of petrochemical plastics

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    • Contributors:
      Tilsted, Joachim Peter, Author; Bauer, Fredric, Author; Deere Birkbeck, Carolyn, Author; Skovgaard, Jakob, Author; Rootzén, Johan, Author; Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, Departments at LTH, Department of Technology and Society, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lunds universitet, Lunds Tekniska Högskola, Institutioner vid LTH, Institutionen för teknik och samhälle, Miljö- och energisystem, Originator; Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, Departments at LTH, Department of Design Sciences, CIRCLE, Lunds universitet, Lunds Tekniska Högskola, Institutioner vid LTH, Institutionen för designvetenskaper, CIRCLE, Originator; Lund University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Departments of Administrative, Economic and Social Sciences, Department of Political Science, Lunds universitet, Samhällsvetenskapliga fakulteten, Samhällsvetenskapliga institutioner och centrumbildningar, Statsvetenskapliga institutionen, Originator; Lund University, Profile areas and other strong research environments, Strategic research areas (SRA), BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate, Lunds universitet, Profilområden och andra starka forskningsmiljöer, Strategiska forskningsområden (SFO), BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate, Originator
    • Abstract:
      The expanding petrochemical industry depends on fossil fuels both as feedstock and a source of energy and is at the heart of the intertwined global crises relating to plastics, climate, and toxic emissions. Addressing these crises requires uprooting the deep-seated lock-ins that sustain petrochemical plastics. This perspective identifies lock-ins that stand in the way of ambitious emission reductions and ending plastic pollution. We emphasize that addressing the growing plastic production and consumption requires confronting the political economy of petrochemicals. We put forward key elements needed to address the dual challenges of moving away from the unsustainable production of plastics and drastically reducing emissions from the petrochemical sector, and argue for attention to the links between fossil fuels and plastics, which in turn involves challenging entrenched power structures and vested interests linked to the fossil-based plastics economy. A critical step would be ensuring attention to the production of petrochemicals and related upstream issues in the upcoming global plastics treaty.