Building on available science and existing stakeholder networks, solutions to ocean plastic and microplastic pollution must simultaneously:

The United Nations Environment in collaboration with the New Plastics Economy, Ocean Conservancy, and GRID-Arendal, with the catalytic assistance of the Global Environment Facility, are working together to pilot key interventions and to lay out a strategic roadmap for marine plastics.

Building on available science and existing stakeholder networks, solutions to ocean plastics and micro-plastics pollution must simultaneously: create enabling conditions for systemic change in the medium- to long-term (e.g. few years and longer) towards a circular economy where plastics remain at their highest value and never become waste, through cross-value chain collaboration, innovation, re-design, definition of product standards and the engagement of consumers for sustainable consumption; and implement in the immediate-term efficient, locally appropriate integrated waste management.

To achieve these objectives, the project will use the intergovernmental stakeholder platforms of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (of the Global Plan of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA)) and the UNEP Regional Seas Programme, among others, to ensure broad representation in identifying strategic guidelines of the roadmap.

Component 1:

New Plastics Economy
Component 2:

Ocean Conservancy
Component 3:

UN Environment (Economy & Ecosystems Divisions)
Component 4:

GRID-Arendal
Objective Create enablers for systemic change towards a circular economy Mobilise investment in waste management infrastructure Develop a roadmap for GEF engagement on the reduction and sound management of marine plastics, integrating outputs from Components 1, 2 and 4 Facilitate effective delivery and integration of outputs from Components 1, 2 and 3 within a two-year project implementation period
Time frame Years Months to Years Hot spot analysis: long-term impact
Recommendations to GEF (cross-component): Short- to medium-term
Geographic focus Global, with emphasis on Europe and the US (where most of the innovation, R&D and design capabilities take place) Asia (where most plastic leakage currently occurs) Global
Value chain focus Raw material suppliers, Producers, Distributors, Consumers, Waste collectors, Recyclers, Policy makers Waste management Raw material suppliers, Producers, Distributors, Consumers, Waste collectors, Recyclers, Policy makers