Phnom Penh, 11 September 2024: The ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) delegation took part in the 6th Greater Mekong Subregion Environment Ministers Meeting, held from 10 to 13 September 2024. The event, organised by the Ministry of the Environment of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), addressed a wide range of environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity, water management, and plastic pollution in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
On 11 September, Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris at ERIA, delivered a presentation during the session titled ’Combating Plastic Pollution in the Greater Mekong Subregion: Strategies, Technologies, and Collaborative Efforts.’ This session was co-organised by the Ministry of the Environment of Cambodia and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). It featured speakers from government agencies, international organisations, and private sector representatives from the plastic industry and circular economy sectors. The discussions focused on the current state of plastic pollution in the region, ways to enhance public–private partnerships, promote sustainable technological investments, and create actionable policy recommendations.
During his presentation, Mr Kawamura highlighted ERIA’s efforts to combat plastic pollution in the ASEAN region through the work of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris. He outlined three ongoing projects in the following areas:
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): EPR is gaining recognition across ASEAN as a strategic approach to tackle plastic waste. Countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Viet Nam, and the Philippines have adopted EPR schemes, while others are considering it. The Centre serves as a knowledge hub for ASEAN+3, providing country-specific information, such as EPR laws and regulations, for plastics and packaging.
Behavioural Change towards Single-Use Plastics (SUP): Shifting public attitudes on SUP consumption is becoming an increasingly important focus. However, empirical data on the effectiveness of behaviour-change projects is still limited in the region. ERIA and IGES are conducting pilot projects aimed at developing useful manuals and impact assessment tools tailored to the ASEAN context.
Plastic Leakage Prevention from the Recycling Industry: Ironically, the plastic recycling industry is one of the major sources of plastic pollution in ASEAN. To address this issue, ERIA collaborated with the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP) of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) to produce city-specific situation assessment reports and guidelines. Phase 2 of the project, launched in August 2024, focuses on capacity building to prevent plastic waste and pellets from leaking into the environment from recycling facilities.
In concluding his presentation, Mr Kawamura expressed his hope that ERIA's research and projects would benefit the region and contribute to the objectives of the Greater Mekong Subregion and ASEAN.
Research Fellow
Phnom Penh, 11 September 2024: The ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) delegation took part in the 6th Greater Mekong Subregion Environment Ministers Meeting, held from 10 to 13 September 2024. The event, organised by the Ministry of the Environment of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), addressed a wide range of environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity, water management, and plastic pollution in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
On 11 September, Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris at ERIA, delivered a presentation during the session titled ’Combating Plastic Pollution in the Greater Mekong Subregion: Strategies, Technologies, and Collaborative Efforts.’ This session was co-organised by the Ministry of the Environment of Cambodia and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). It featured speakers from government agencies, international organisations, and private sector representatives from the plastic industry and circular economy sectors. The discussions focused on the current state of plastic pollution in the region, ways to enhance public–private partnerships, promote sustainable technological investments, and create actionable policy recommendations.
During his presentation, Mr Kawamura highlighted ERIA’s efforts to combat plastic pollution in the ASEAN region through the work of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris. He outlined three ongoing projects in the following areas:
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): EPR is gaining recognition across ASEAN as a strategic approach to tackle plastic waste. Countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Viet Nam, and the Philippines have adopted EPR schemes, while others are considering it. The Centre serves as a knowledge hub for ASEAN+3, providing country-specific information, such as EPR laws and regulations, for plastics and packaging.
Behavioural Change towards Single-Use Plastics (SUP): Shifting public attitudes on SUP consumption is becoming an increasingly important focus. However, empirical data on the effectiveness of behaviour-change projects is still limited in the region. ERIA and IGES are conducting pilot projects aimed at developing useful manuals and impact assessment tools tailored to the ASEAN context.
Plastic Leakage Prevention from the Recycling Industry: Ironically, the plastic recycling industry is one of the major sources of plastic pollution in ASEAN. To address this issue, ERIA collaborated with the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP) of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) to produce city-specific situation assessment reports and guidelines. Phase 2 of the project, launched in August 2024, focuses on capacity building to prevent plastic waste and pellets from leaking into the environment from recycling facilities.
In concluding his presentation, Mr Kawamura expressed his hope that ERIA's research and projects would benefit the region and contribute to the objectives of the Greater Mekong Subregion and ASEAN.
Research Fellow
