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Professor Steve Fletcher, a global leader in plastic pollution research and Director of the 1024�˹���’s Revolution Plastics Institute (RPI), attended an event hosted by His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace yesterday (6 November). 

Professor Fletcher joined an assembly of prominent figures in sustainability at the International Sustainability Reception.

The event gathered leaders and decision-makers from across governments, industries, NGOs, and philanthropic organisations to discuss collective ambitions on climate and nature ahead of the upcoming COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference and the fifth round of negotiations for the Plastic Pollution Treaty (INC-5).

As the Director of Revolution Plastics Institute, Professor Fletcher is renowned for his expertise in advising governments on national, regional, and global plans to tackle plastic pollution, and his contributions provided crucial knowledge to the ongoing UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations — widely regarded as the most significant environmental agreement since the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. Under his leadership, the Revolution Plastics Institute has been a critical voice in policy discussions, working closely with international bodies such as, UNEP, the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum to shape meaningful, evidence-based solutions.

“It was an honour to participate in this event and contribute to this essential dialogue at Buckingham Palace" Professor Fletcher said. 

"The urgency for a comprehensive and legally binding international agreement to tackle plastic pollution is more pronounced than ever.

“Plastic pollution transcends the visible waste that litters our environment — it includes microplastics in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we consume. This issue encompasses pollutants released at every stage of the plastic life cycle: extraction, manufacture, use, and disposal.”

Professor Fletcher and the Revolution Plastics team have worked closely with negotiators to inform the Global Plastic Treaty process over the past two years. 

The Institute’s Global Plastics Policy Centre has been an essential partner for negotiators, providing data-driven insights to support policy-making and inform high-stakes decisions within the treaty process.

Professor Fletcher is also a top 2 per cent by publication researcher, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications and research reports for entities including the UN, World Bank, and G20. He is also Editor in chief of the interdisciplinary journal . 

Professor Fletcher and his team will be attending the final round of later this month.