Global talks to finalize a UN treaty on plastic pollution ended in Geneva without consensus after 10 days of negotiations, highlighting sharp divisions over issues like production caps, chemicals of concern and financing. Despite the setback, countries pledged to continue negotiations, with the UN Environment Programme stressing the urgency of tackling a problem that affects ecosystems and human health worldwide.
Audrey Moores, Professor in the Department of Chemistry, is an expert in green chemistry who develops sustainable alternatives to plastics by converting waste biomass, like crustacean shells, into biodegradable materials using clean, low-energy methods. Her work offers scalable, circular-economy solutions rooted in biopolymer engineering and mechanochemistry.
