Professor Susan Jobling
Professor

I am currently leading and directing a large NERC funded project called ‘A systems analysis approach to reduce plastic waste in Indonesian societies (PISCES)’ is an interdisciplinary project involving more than 40 researchers from UK, Indonesia, India and Thailand . 

Plastic pollution is one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges. An investment of £20 million by UKRI has supported five interdisciplinary research projects that aim to improve understanding of the impacts of plastic pollution in developing countries. The PISCES project has been funded under this initiative and aims to reduce the impact of plastic pollution on communities and the environment in Indonesia. 

The team are examining socio-economic, behavioural and cultural factors associated with plastic use in Indonesia; developing interventions and assessing their social, environmental and economic benefits. We are working closely with academic partners as well as Governments, NGOs and industry. Project partners include SYSTEMIQ (Project STOP and the Bali Partnership) and The Co-Ordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs National Plastics Action Plan. Indonesia has a rapidly growing economy and the largest archipelago in the world with exceptionally high levels of plastics contaminating its rivers and seas.

PISCES will work along the value chain examining the costs of inaction and benefits of targeted interventions. Our work will mitigate the impacts of plastic pollution and aims to enable cleaner, more resilient and productive environments. We aim to promote economic growth, social inclusion and societal wellbeing including environmental sustainability of oceans and coastal areas.