A message from our Steering Committee Co-Chairs
Welcome to the December 2023 edition of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marne Litter (GPML) newsletter. As we wrap up another eventful year, we are excited to share with you the latest updates, initiatives, and strides we have made in our ongoing commitment to combat plastic pollution worldwide.
In this edition, you will find insightful updates, news and events that highlight the collaborative efforts of our global community. From innovative solutions to impactful partnerships, we are dedicated to bringing you the most relevant and inspiring content. This year we have welcomed 52 new members to the GPML, for a total of 639, and 579 new users to the GPML Digital Platform, for a total of 1,389. The Platform now hosts over 2,600 resources, including 891 technical resources, 164 events, 79 technologies, 207 capacity development resources, 641 initiatives, 71 action plans, 702 policies, and 115 financing resources.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. We hope this newsletter serves as a source of inspiration and motivation as we collectively strive towards a world free from the detrimental effects of plastic pollution.
Wishing you a joyful and environmentally conscious holiday season!
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Da Silva (Environment and Climate Change Canada) and Fredrik Haag (International Maritime Organization), Co-Chairs of the GPML Steering Committee
A revamped GPML Digital Platform
We are thrilled to invite you to explore the all-new landing page of the GPML Digital Platform. As we continue to strive to enhance your experience and provide valuable resources, the Platform has undergone a transformation to better serve your needs.
On our revamped landing page, you will discover a new interface streamlining your navigation and access to crucial information. From cutting-edge research to actionable insights, the GPML Digital Platform remains a go-to destination for the latest developments in global efforts against plastic pollution and marine litter.
We encourage you to embark on a journey of exploration as you delve into our updated content, engaging multimedia, and interactive features. The Platform is not just a digital space; it's a dynamic hub for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and empowerment.
GPML Digital Platform Workspace & Plastic Strategy Workflow
A workflow for the development of source inventories to inform strategies/roadmaps/plans has been generated in the GPML Digital Platform. It aims to provide resources and guidance regarding the full process of developing national source inventories of plastics, using a lifecycle approach to inform action strategies/roadmaps/plans to address plastic pollution. Without being prescriptive, it offers a wide range of information, case studies and other useful resources to countries undertaking this process, regardless of the specific stage in which they currently are. The workflow and resources associated with each suggested step are designed to facilitate and accelerate the activities related to the development of a country's plastic strategy. Such resources include data, documents, templates, case studies, relevant organizations (governmental and non-governmental) as well as individuals active in the space.
This digital workflow was developed in consultation with the GPML Community of Practice to harmonize approaches for informing action on plastic pollution and marine litter (Action CoP) and continues to be populated with a wealth of information provided by its members. Currently, this function is only available to a group of pilot countries, but it will be made broadly available in the near future.
A personalized and private workspace has also been created to offer a tailored experience that simplifies access to knowledge, data, matchmaking, and strategic actions. This feature is currently available for all Digital Platform users.
Join us in harnessing the power of technology to drive positive change and learn more about the workflow and workspace features on the GPML Digital Platform.
New Forums feature on the GPML Digital Platform
The new Forums feature on the GPML Digital Platform has also been unveiled to enhance interaction among the ever-growing community of users. We invite you to share your insights, connect with relevant practitioners, and brainstorm innovative solutions in real time.
The GPML Forums page is your go-to space for lively discussions, collaborative problem-solving, and knowledge exchange. Whether you're an environmental enthusiast, a scientist, or a policymaker, your voice matters. Join the conversation today and be part of the global movement to combat plastic pollution.
If you require any assistance regarding the GPML Digital Platform, please contact unep-gpmarinelitter@un.org.
A new masterclass on Unnecessary, Avoidable and Problematic Plastic Products and Polymers
The GPML masterclass on Unnecessary, Avoidable and Problematic (UAP) Plastic Products and Polymers was officially launched on 10 October 2023.
This masterclass was developed by the Open Universiteit in close cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), within the framework of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML). The masterclass offers information and educates students on topics such as chemicals in plastics, plastics and circularity, policy approaches and multi-stakeholder action related to plastic pollution. The masterclass is accessible on a continuous basis, free of charge, and may be explored at the student’s own pace.
Upon completion of the masterclass, you will receive a certificate acknowledging your enrollment and completion of the course. You can sign up here.
GPML Webinar - 10 October 2023
The GPML webinar on 10 October marked the official release of the Masterclass on Unnecessary, Avoidable and Problematic (UAP) Plastic Products and Polymers, which aims to provide participants with essential knowledge, tools, and instruments to understand and address plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, resulting from these types of plastic.
The main speakers of the webinar were: Maartje Folbert, PhD Researcher, Open Universiteit, the Netherlands; Ayub Macharia Ndaruga, Director of Environmental Education and Awareness, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kenya; Marina Fernandez, Associate Researcher at CONICET, Argentina; and I Dewa Made Agung Kertha Nugraha, Chief Strategy & Business Development, Siklus Refill, Indonesia. The presentations can be accessed here.
For more information about the webinar and/or the masterclass, contact unep-gpmarinelitter@un.org.
Follow the GPML LinkedIn page for news and updates from the Partnership
Stay in the loop by following the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) on LinkedIn. Join our community for timely updates and announcements, inspiring stories, and to further connect with like-minded individuals dedicated to combatting plastic pollution and marine litter.
Follow us on LinkedIn
SEA circular – Solving Plastic Pollution at Source in South-East Asia Region Resource Deck
To enhance accessibility to information on marine litter and plastic pollution, the SEA circular project has released a comprehensive digital resource deck. This compilation encompasses a diverse array of knowledge products and solutions aimed at tackling plastic pollution in the South-East Asia region. To enhance the prominence of the resource deck products, SEA circular has featured them on the GPML platform for increased visibility.
The SEA circular project has assembled a wealth of resources dedicated to minimizing plastic pollution by effectively managing the plastic value chain in South-East Asia. This compilation encompasses 18 in-depth research and assessment reports, 23 impactful case studies, 21 practical tools and manuals, 6 comprehensive project country profiles, and 14 informative videos. It delves into critical themes such as plastic circularity, marine litter monitoring, extended producer responsibility, human rights and gender equality, informal sector involvement, and plastic waste assessment. Through this extensive array of resources, the SEA circular offers a comprehensive and nuanced approach to tackle the intricate challenges of plastic pollution in the region.
INC-3
The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-3) took place from 13 to 19 November 2023 at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
For more information, click here.
UNEA-6
The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) will be held from 26 February to 1 March 2024 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme: Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
All meetings in the UNEA-6 programme will be conducted in-person with live interpretation and webcast available in all six UN languages. Informal consultations and working/contact groups will be conducted in an English-only hybrid format (a combination of in-person and online participation). For more information about UNEA-6, click here.
2024 UN Ocean Decade Conference
2024 will mark the fourth year of implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Under the leadership of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the Ocean Decade has already galvanized thousands of partners around the world to start delivering the science we need for the ocean we want.
Focused on ‘delivering the science we need for the ocean we want’, the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, which will be hosted by the Government of Spain in Barcelona from 10 - 12 April 2024, will bring together the global Ocean Decade community and partners to celebrate and take stock of progress, and set joint priorities for the future.
For more information, click here.
INC-4
The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4), is scheduled to take place in Ottawa, Canada, within the period 21 to 30 April 2024, including one day for regional consultations.
Find out more about INC-4 here.
Save The Waves Coalition app
At Save The Waves, we work to protect surf ecosystems – defined as the land-to-sea interface where plants, animals, and communities thrive alongside great waves for surfing – in partnership with local organizations around the world. Through the Save The Waves App, users are empowered to report threats they encounter in coastal zones and watersheds such as plastic pollution, impaired water quality, and loss of coastal access where they are immediately displayed on the global coastal threat map. We connect this data with partner organizations and community-level projects that we are implementing around the globe, as well as providing App users with resources to take action to address the threats they identify. We also share real-time alerts with partners for reports made in their region, as well as regional or threat-specific datasheets. Trash and marine debris makes up more than 60% of the existing dataset, with reports varying from microplastics to shipwrecks all over the world. The complete Save The Waves App dataset can be accessed freely through our data request form or the GPML data catalog.
Do you know an organization or individual working to address marine litter and plastic pollution? Encourage them to sign in and join us! Benefits of joining?
- Access to a global network of members
- Opportunities to showcase your work in our newsletter, online and at events
- A Data Hub to guide efforts towards SDGs and more
- Hundreds of resources at your fingertips
- Networking with other stakeholders
Secretariat services for the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter are provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Copyright © 2023 GPML, All rights reserved. Nairobi, Kenya. unep-gpmarinelitter@un.org