Regional Cooperation in Marine Plastic Waste Cleanup in the South China Sea Region

Jianping Sun, Chao Fang, Zhaohui Chen and Guoquan Chen
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Jianping Sun: School of Maritime Economic and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China
Chao Fang: Department of Economics, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
Zhaohui Chen: School of Marine Law Humanities, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Guoquan Chen: School of Shipping, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-17

Abstract: This paper uses countries in the South China Sea Region (SCSR) as examples to study the level of regional cooperation in the marine plastic waste cleanup initiative. We designed a cooperation model to investigate the “cleanup system” from the Ocean Cleanup initiative to reduce marine plastic pollution. The non-cooperative game theory was applied to regional cooperation. The simulation results indicate that the plastic waste cleanup cooperation in the SCSR is related to the plastic trade network structure, the influence parameters of the Experience-Weighted Attraction learning model, and the economic effects. The results suggest that regional cooperation in the cleanup system in the SCSR is feasible, and it could create a significantly larger investment in the cleanup project than the current project attracts. Therefore, countries in the SCSR should adjust their laws and policies to make a good cooperative environment and to maximize the contribution to the marine plastic waste cleanup.

Keywords: marine plastic; waste cleanup; regional cooperation; non-cooperative game; EWA learning model; Matlab simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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