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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Land-based Plastics to the Ocean

(
Government
)
#OceanAction41044
Description
Description
CSIRO has developed protocols, analytical tools, and has carried out coastal, terrestrial and ocean-based surveys for anthropogenic debris in Australia at a national scale and in several other countries. The goal of this work is to use field sampling and mathematical modelling to document the distribution of plastic in the ocean, on the coast and in the nearshore environment generated by 6-8 major urban centers and surrounding areas that have been identified as having significant waste mis-management or losses into the marine environment. This will allow for empirical validation of waste losses as projected by a recent global estimate of plastic losses into the worlds oceans (Jambeck et al. 2015). This project builds capacity in developing countries, provides an empirical baseline for waste mismanagement, increases awareness, inspires change and transforms the global conversation around plastic usage and the environment. Innovative opportunities for waste management will be identified and potentially trialed and valuing plastics can help reduce poverty and identify alternative livelihoods. The results of the study will provide a solid empirical basis for modelling the input of plastic into the oceans from land at the global scale. The results will also serve as an international baseline against which progress can be gauged through time and space. The data will also provide opportunities to identify opportunities to engage with industry regarding best-practices and product identification for major brands which are frequently lost into the environment
Partners
CSIRO -(Government research body), Oak Philanthropy (Philanthropic organization), Schmidt Marine (Philanthropic Organization), Our Seas of East Asia Network (non-governmental organization),

Goal 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

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

14.1.1

(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1

Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1
Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1
Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1
Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1

Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1

Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

14.a

Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.a.1
Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.b

Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.b.1

Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

14.c.1

Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

Name Description
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
14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.c Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
We will estimate the amount of plastic contained in upstream, coastal and urban plumes, and the loss from the plume, both into the open ocean and via transport onto the coastline for each of the six or more selected cities from different countries (and from areas away from cities), using oceanographic models of plastic transport.
Financing (in USD)
1200000
In-kind contribution
Scientific research
No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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Action Network
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Timeline
01 January 2017 (start date)
01 December 2020 (date of completion)
Entity
Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organization (CSIRO)
SDGs
14
Geographical coverage
Australia
Ocean Basins
Global
Communities of Ocean Action
Marine pollution, Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology, Implementation of international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Countries
N/A
Contact Information

Britta Denise Hardesty, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere

denise.hardesty@csiro.au