MARE attends Plastics Summit – Global Event 2025
MARE – Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences was represented at the Plastics Summit – Global Event (PSGE), held on October 6 at the Lisbon International Fair (FIL), through the participation of first-year students from the Master's in Environmental Engineering at FCT NOVA, who were invited and supported by the Portuguese Plastics Industry Association (APIP). 
Under the motto ‘Towards a New Era of Responsible and Holistic Sustainability’, PSGE brought together more than 1,000 participants and 36 national and international speakers, establishing itself as the largest international meeting dedicated to sustainability and the circular economy in the plastics sector. The event promoted knowledge sharing and multisectoral networking, involving business leaders, researchers, policy makers and members of civil society in a discussion focused on people and the health of the planet.
The programme included four main panels, each with eight speakers, which addressed different topics related to sustainability and the circular economy: resilient industry and integrated management; transition and consumption patterns; improving circularity; and the regenerative architecture of ecosystems.
During the event, the results of the 14 areas of action that make up the Mobilising Agenda for Sustainable Plastics were also presented. This APIP initiative, led by Logoplaste Innovation Lab, aims to bring together companies, academic institutions, authorities and citizens around the principles of the European Circular Economy. The goals include the market introduction of 21 innovative products, the publication of 36 scientific papers and new patents, and a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastics production.
During the PSGE, the new Expert Committee was also announced: a group of specialists responsible for drafting a new Position Statement with the aim of influencing public policy at local, national and international levels, with the goal of presenting it at COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will take place in November in Brazil.
This committee includes MARE researcher Professor Paula Sobral, who will contribute her renowned experience in sustainability and environmental literacy to reinforce the role of scientific research in defining global policies.
The participation of students in this international event represents an important learning opportunity and reinforces MARE's commitment to promote applied knowledge and train professionals capable of responding to today's major environmental challenges.
Text by João Pequeno and Patrícia Carvalho