(Micro)plastics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

2021/04/16 by Tony R. ‎Walker · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Materials Science · #Action (physics) #Business #Computer science #Computer security #Economics #Environmental economics #Environmental planning #Environmental resource management #Environmental science #Key (lock) #Microplastics and Plastic Pollution #Political science #Process management #Recycling and Waste Management Techniques #Risk analysis (engineering) #Sustainability #Sustainable development #biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.cogsc.2021.100497

openalex publication_date 2021/04/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06

Abstract

Since the launch of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the SDGs have been widely adopted by governments and corporations in an effort to improve their sustainability. There are 17 SDGs, comprising 169 targets, which are measurable against 247 unique indicators. Despite pervasive global pollution from (micro)plastics, there is only one indicator (14.1.1b) under Goal 14, specifically related to reducing impacts from (micro)plastics. Reliable reporting and monitoring of 247 SDG indicators present unique challenges for governments and organizations to implement, which may be further exacerbated by the pervasive nature of (micro)plastic pollution if not properly monitored across these indicators. This review focused on recent literature to provide a critical overview of the key challenges specifically related to (micro)plastics as they may undermine the implementation of sustainable strategies and action plans required to achieve the UN SDGs.

Citations

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Cited by

• Sustainable Development Goals [wikipedia]

Related

• Defining an effective “plastics treaty” through national perspectives and visions during early negotiations
• Addressing microplastics in drinking water in the global plastics treaty – Gaps, challenges and opportunities
• Atmospheric microplastics must be addressed in the global plastics treaty
• Global Plastics Outlook
• Increased plastic pollution due to COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and recommendations