Litter-free oceans

Context

Litter in the oceans has reached dramatic levels and is threatening marine wildlife and habitats and human health.

Most waste enters the oceans via rivers. The reason for this is inadequate waste management in many developing and emerging-market countries, but also the increasing export of plastic waste from industrialised nations to those countries.

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection is the lead agency in Germany’s effort to combat marine litter. One of the tools it uses to do this is the Marine Debris Framework – Regional hubs around the globe (Marine:DeFRAG) programme.

Objective

Partner organisations in developing and emerging-market countries are implementing effective strategies to manage plastic and prevent litter. In this way, they are positioning themselves in international processes.

Approach

The project advises BMUV and provides expertise for the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, along with the latest country-specific information. Based on that it develops waste management strategies – including how to avoid, re-use, recycle and dispose of waste and how to tackle the problem of marine litter.

At the same time, the project supports partner organisations in relevant regions in developing this kind of strategy and positioning themselves in international processes. Examples include:

• The project is advising the Brazilian Government on developing a national position to enable it to be optimally prepared for the next round of negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty. To this end, it carries out webinars and workshops and invites civil society, the private sector and state governments to participate.
• The project also works with the Mekong River Commission and supports it with training on how to identify and monitor how much plastic is in the Lower Mekong River Basin. This data helps to tackle plastic pollution in rivers.

The project makes every effort to ensure equality in all its activities.

Current as at: October 2024