Efforts to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are being undermined by flawed strategic priorities, despite increased funding and policy commitments, according to a research paper published this week.

Researchers found that environmental action is often fragmented, addressing individual issues rather than root causes. They argue that the direction of policy, not just its scale, is the central problem.

The study introduces a Sustainability Hierarchy Framework, placing the reduction of resource extraction and consumption at the top of a five-tier system of priorities.

The framework prioritises upstream interventions such as limiting extraction, followed by reuse, replacement with sustainable alternatives, recycling and finally remediation. It excludes offsets and credits, arguing they shift responsibility rather than solve underlying problems.

A case study on the proposed Global Plastics Treaty highlights current divisions, with around 100 nations backing production limits while oil states favour recycling.

Dr Fredric Bauer of Lund University said: “Right now, about 88% of funding for tackling plastic pollution goes to ‘downstream’ initiatives rather than stopping that pollution in the first place.

“We need to push both policy and finance to focus on ‘upstream’ initiatives – preventing damage rather than cleaning it up.”

The framework is being presented to policymakers, investors and United Nations bodies ahead of the Exeter Climate Forum.

The paper is published in iScience under the title Beyond Silos: An Integrated Sustainability Hierarchy Framework.

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