Should Canada’s foreign aid policy help address the environmental impact of single-use plastics?

Abstract

N/A

Transnational Plastics: An Australian Case for Global Action

“…It is time for Australia to show stronger environmental leadership on the international stage by facilitating and supporting existing and future transnational cooperation (IORA, 2017) and perhaps co-funding waste management infrastructure where it is most needed. In the same way Australia and other HICs use foreign policy aid to help build schools and hospitals in LMICs, we can contribute to implementing better waste management in places where the gap between social development and said infrastructure is the highest (Schnurr and Walker, 2019). Of particular relevance here is our study's demonstration of the strong connectivity between the Australian and Indonesian plastic crises.…”

“…Therefore, strong bilateral approaches with Indonesia are particularly important for reducing plastic pollution in Australian waters and surroundings seas (Government of Indonesia, 2017;Marsdon, 2019;DFAT, 2020). Supporting Indonesia will not only benefit Australia's own national interests but may also induce a knock-on effect by encouraging other HICs to show greater global responsibility (Schnurr and Walker, 2019).…”

Snapshot picture of microplastic pollution in Halifax Regional Municipality

“…Engaging the public in community science projects involving the collection and identification of microplastic pollution will also aid in identifying the scope of the problem. This would "encourage interventions that change linear plastics consumption habits" (Schnurr & Walker 2019), while fostering accountability with respect to the impact of microplastics.…”