A atuação de Municípios no compromisso global dos plásticos : (Buenos Aires, Copenhague e São Paulo)

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a global environmental risk that cannot be delimited by geographic or temporal boundaries, and the lack of accountability for the damage caused exacerbates the problem. This study addresses this issue and highlights that there are several possibilities for reducing plastic pollution, including the development of soft law instruments and the complementation of global environmental governance actions with the adoption of local public policies. To this end, the research was developed using the hypothetical-deductive method, through qualitative research and a multiple case study, with analysis of scientific literature, websites, scientific articles, documents from technical bodies and international entities on the subject, and the application of a questionnaire. In this context, this work starts from the recognition of the efficiency of the concepts and instruments of international environmental law, to analyze the potential of global environmental governance and the relevance of soft law to address the environmental impacts caused by plastic pollution, including on human health. To develop this research, several studies were analyzed, selecting 77 specific scientific articles on environmental impacts that address pollution by plastics of different sizes, from macroplastics to nanoplastics. In one of these cited articles, 177 articles were used that identified 2,745 records of contamination by microplastics (MPs) in 186 locations in Marine Protected Areas around the world. However, the work evaluated a promising initiative called the Global Plastics Commitment, an agreement promoted by the United Nations Environment Program and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, establishing a governance system to promote the Circular Economy, proposing that the parties establish voluntary commitments for its implementation. Three local governments that are signatories to this initiative were chosen for the case study: the cities of Buenos Aires, Copenhagen and São Paulo. During the research process, information was collected from the signatories' annual reports, and due to the various questions raised, a questionnaire was sent to each of these signatories. This instrument aimed to deepen the understanding of the actions taken and reported by each signatory. In the end, the research concluded that although it has had an effect and promoted improvements in many cases, the voluntary agreement has not been sufficient to combat the problem, and that progress needs to be made on two fronts. Regarding soft law, it would be important to improve the terms of the Global Plastics Commitment, mainly by providing mechanisms for evaluating results that allow, for example, reviewing plastic production, reducing the use and disposal of packaging, increasing recycling and improving plastic collection systems, in order to mitigate environmental impacts. It was concluded that, although it is not capable of solving plastic pollution alone, the effective construction of global environmental governance, through soft law, can contribute to overcoming global environmental impacts and damages in favor of sustainability and improving human life on the planet, presenting positive results.