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Clean Seas
Description/achievement of initiative

The Clean Seas aims to engage with governments, the general public, civil society and the public sector to fight against marine plastic litter. By connecting individuals, civil society groups, industry and governments to transform habits, practices, standards and policies around the globe to dramatically reduce marine litter and the harm it causes.

Implementation methodologies

The initiative is carried out by all those who pledged to take part in the initiative: (1) Government - encouraged to establish National, Regional Marine Litter Action Plans. - encouraged to pioneer national legislation and policies to promote marine litter education. - encouraged to set up national plastic management systems to measure and reduce their plastic footprint. (2) Private Sector - commit to reduce plastics use in production, product design and packaging. - improve, measure and report actions to reduce marine plastic litter and microplastics. - showcase good practices and raise the profile of this issue with their audiences. (3) NGO/Civil Society - encourage to engage with local, regional and national government to change stance on plastic marine pollution through changing policies. - encourage to engage with private sector to change production, product design and packaging. - encourage to engage with the general public to raise awareness about the issue. (4) General public engagement - raising awareness to change habits and lifestyles. Each organisation which has partnered with the initiative to take a pledge of commitment to reducing plastic marine pollution. Each organisation then communicates their achievement to the lead organisation.

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

The lead organisation provides general information about the issue. Other organisations who have made a pledge can contribute to the initiative through education, training and capacity building.

Coordination mechanisms/governance structure

The coordination of this partnership is divided into three areas: (1) Government - encouraged to establish National, Regional Marine Litter Action Plans. - encouraged to pioneer national legislation and policies to promote marine litter education. - encouraged to set up national plastic management systems to measure and reduce their plastic footprint. (2) Private Sector - commit to reduce plastics use in production, product design and packaging. - improve, measure and report actions to reduce marine plastic litter and microplastics. - showcase good practices and raise the profile of this issue with their audiences. (3) General public engagement - raising awareness to change habits and lifestyles. Each organisation which has partnered with the initiative to take a pledge of commitment to reducing plastic marine pollution. Each organisation then communicates their achievement to the lead organisation.

Partner(s)

UNEP, Global governments, NGOs, Local Communities
Progress reports
Goal 6
6.3 - By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.4 - By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
6.5 - By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
6.6 - By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
6.a - By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
Goal 12
12.6 - Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
12.8 - By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Goal 13
13.3 - Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Goal 14
14.1 - By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
March 2030
To raise awareness about the issue of marine plastic pollution
March 2030
To provide capacity building and training manuals, workshops and support to industry practitioners
March 2030
To conduct research and studies and encourage national governments to change policies on water pollution
March 2030
To encourage and promote local, regional and national changes to waste management
In-kind contribution
Capacity building resources, case studies and general information about the initiative

Basic information
Time-frame: February 2017 - 2025
Website
Partners
UNEP, Global governments, NGOs, Local Communities
Countries
Contact information
Fadeke Ayoola, CEO, info@netafrica.be
United Nations