New preprint on the Right to Science in MEAs

Carney Almroth, B., Ralston, R., Tilsted, J.P., Balayannis, A., Bertram, M.G., Olsen, T., Short, D. 2025. Protecting the Right to Science in Multilateral Environmental Agreements addressing chemicals and plastics pollution. SSRN http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5265702 | PDF

ABSTRACT

Scientific evidence supports the dominant institutional understandings of the triple planetary crisis - climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution - demonstrating the profound impacts of human activities on the Earth system. Pollution is intimately tied to extraction and the production of chemicals including plastics, and poses serious threats to the environment and to human rights. While science is often invoked in multilateral environmental fora addressing chemicals, plastics, waste, and pollution, some critically important dilemmas, conflicts of interest, and power imbalances arise. In this context, the Right to Science - the right of all people to benefit from scientific progress and its applications - offers a powerful yet underutilized tool. Recognized in Article 15(1)(b) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), this right reinforces the importance of evidence-based decision making. However, it is increasingly undermined by vested interests deploying strategies of denial, delay, manufactured ignorance and misinformation. Upholding this right requires concrete measures: public funding for science and education, academic freedom, data transparency, meaningful participation of diverse knowledge holders, and mechanisms to address conflicts of interest. Embedding a rights-based approach into Multilateral Environmental Agreements can help ensure science serves the public interest in addressing the pollution crisis.