Research on cooperation mechanism of marine plastic waste management based on complex network evolutionary game

Marine plastic waste pollution affects the stability of the marine ecosystem, inhibits the sustainable development of the blue economy, and threatens the health of humankind. In order to build a stable and long-term international cooperation mechanism in marine plastic waste, this paper takes the country as the research object and propose an international marine plastic waste cooperation network. We introduce the Matthew effect of network connection and relationship cost into the model from the perspective of social relations, and uses the method of the evolutionary game on complex networks to construct the evolutionary game model of marine plastic waste treatment. Through simulation methods, this paper explores the impact of economic factors, relational structure and game structure on the evolution of management cooperation of marine plastic waste. It not only provides a theoretical basis for international cooperation in marine plastic waste management, but also provides a clear direction for its implications in practice. Based on the theoretical analysis and empirical research, this research finds that: First, in management cooperation of marine plastic waste, economic factors are the most direct factor, relational structure plays a regulatory role, and game structure is an intermediary variable. Second, the benefits and costs of governance cooperation in economic factors promote and inhibit the cooperation behavior of group respectively. Relationship structure has a two-way effect on the cooperation behavior of group and network stability. Moreover, the cumulative income weight in the game structure is positively related to the partner density. Finally, the key to the current cooperative governance of marine plastic waste is to build a stable and long-term market mechanism, properly handle the influence of major powers, regulate the governance relationships, and promote international cooperation in marine plastic waste management.

Automated summary

Marine plastic waste pollution has significant impacts on the environment and human health, highlighting the importance of establishing international cooperation mechanisms. Research findings suggest that economic factors are the most direct influencers in management cooperation of marine plastic waste, while relational structure and game structure play regulatory and intermediary roles, respectively.