The complex relationship between the necessity of prevention, prioritization and removal approaches to reduce persistent and mobile substance pollution will be addressed in ZeroPM via the establishment of an evidence-based multilevel framework. The framework will guide policy, technological and market incentives to minimize use, emissions and pollution of entire groups of persistent and mobile substances. Two potential negative outcomes that can arise when not taking a systemic approach to chemical pollution are regrettable substitution (substituting one problematic chemical for another) and regrettable remediation (investing in remediation efforts more that cause more damage than the substance itself).
ZeroPMs’ multidisciplinary team has expertise within physical, life, social and behavioural sciences, policy and communication. Together with stakeholders, ZeroPM will develop, explore and critically evaluate strategies to Prevent, Prioritize and Remove persistent and mobile substances from the environment.
ZeroPM’s overall objective is: To establish an evidence-based multilevel framework for minimising use, emissions and pollution from persistent and mobile substances to protect European water resources and avoid risks to humans.
The subobjectives are organized as Prevention, Prioritization and Removal strategies:
PREVENT
- Provide safer chemical alternatives to non-essential uses of persistent and mobile substances
- Stimulate and support policy changes to more effectively tackle persistent and mobile substances
- Assist a market transition away from harmful persistent and mobile substances
PRIORITIZE
- Prioritize persistent and mobile substances and substance groups on the global chemical market for prevention and removal
- Characterise and quantify impacts of persistent and mobile substances on human health and the environment
REMOVE
- Demonstrate how and if legacy persistent and mobile substance pollution can be remediated