Marine Litter Vital Graphics

– RESPONSES

Due to the varied sources, pathways and persistence of plastic debris in the marine environment, there is a myriad of environmental regulations which have a bearing on how to address this problem. These range from global generic instruments on marine environmental protection and pollution, through marine litter action plans at the regional level to specific product bans at the national or municipal level. What are the policy responses to the problem?

Within the instruments with global and regional scope there are conventions, protocols and agreements which are transposed to similar legal instruments at the regional and national level respectively. In addition, there are instruments which provide guidance and encourage regional bodies and countries to follow certain proposed actions and cooperate on marine litter issues (Chen, 2015). Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN General Assembly Resolution 70/1) adopted in September 2015 provides an overarching framework to place other international, regional, national and local initiatives in context. Four out of the 17 SDGs (6, 11, 12 and 14) have associated targets particularly relevant to marine plastic pollution. These targets focus on untreated wastewater (6.3), municipal and other waste management (11.6), environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle (12.4), and waste generation reduction through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse (12.5). Others include prevention and reduction of marine pollution, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris (14.1), sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems and action for their restoration (14.2),

and conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) (14.c) (UNEP, 2016a). Also focusing on sustainable development but specifically aimed at Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway was adopted in September 2014, and provides an overarching framework for initiatives. Article 58 on oceans and seas and article 71 on management of chemicals and waste, including hazardous waste, make specific reference to addressing marine debris and strengthening mechanisms for waste management including marine plastic litter. UNCLOS The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in force since 1994 with 167 parties including the European Union, constitutes the global legally binding instrument regulating activities carried out in oceans and seas. Part XII is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the marine environment and requires states to take measures to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment from any source. It includes provisions on land-based sources of pollution, pollution from vessels, seabed activities, and dumping

Marine plastics global policy timeline

Basel Convention enters into force Convention on Biological Diversity

London Convention comes into force

Second International Conference on Marine Debris (Honolulu) Basel Convention

MARPOL 73/78 Convention enter into force

First reports of marine plastic debris impacting on marine species were published

London (Dumping) Convention

CMS Convention

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1970

1980

1990

1972

1973 1974 1975

1978 1979

1983

1984

1988

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1992

1993 1994

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Annex V of the MARPOL Convention enters into force

Workshop on the Fate and Impact of Marine Debris (First Honolulu conference)

MARPOL Protocol is adopted

MARPOL convention

UNEP Regional Seas Programme launched

Convention on Biological Diversity enters into force

* Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities

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Marine Litter Vital Graphics