The Project

Project Overview

The goal of The Plastics & Climate Project is to help estimate the extent to which plastics and their associated petrochemicals contribute to the global average temperature rise. In working towards this goal, the Project conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed scientific literature to identify critical data gaps, developed an agenda for necessary continued research, and recommended policies and actions to support that research.

The result is our peer-reviewed paper published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, and a summary report for non-technical audiences: "Plastics: Exposing Their Climate Impacts, What We Know, What We Need To Know, & Recommendations For Research and Policy."

Why This Matters

Though the connections between climate change and plastics are becoming more widely discussed among activists and policymakers, little quantitative data exists. As fossil fuels are the main feedstock for petrochemicals and 99% of plastics, plastics inherently have climate impacts similar to other fossil-fuel based industries. However, plastics also have unique climate impacts — including during use and when they become unmanaged waste.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Emissions of multiple greenhouse gases and black carbon throughout the lifecycle of plastics, including from the extraction, production, distribution, use, and end-of-life treatment — including recycling, burning, environmental degradation — and unmanaged waste.

Carbon Cycling

Interference with global carbon cycling, including the functioning of ocean, soil, and plant carbon sinks.

Radiation Budget

Alteration of the Earth's radiation budget due to the plastic particles covering the Earth's surface and presence in the air and clouds.

Project Deliverables

  • Systematic literature review and meta-analysis assessing the current state of data on plastics and climate change
  • Research agenda and proposed experiments needed to address identified data and knowledge gaps
  • Peer-reviewed paper published in the scientific literature (Frontiers in Environmental Science)
  • Report summarizing findings and recommendations for non-technical audiences
  • Symposia and webinars with leading scientists, research funders, policymakers, NGOs, and EJ representatives
  • Articles, press releases, and social media to share findings with lay audiences, policymakers, and educators
  • Website serving as an ongoing repository for papers, reports, articles, and recordings on the plastics/climate nexus