ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD), in collaboration with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), organized the 5th ERIA's Experts Working Group on Marine Plastic Debris Meeting on March 5th and 6th, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand.
The first day of the meeting focused on strategies to address marine plastic pollution in ASEAN+3 through Knowledge Sharing and Data, Tools, Technology, and Monitoring.
During her keynote speech, Dr. Noriko Tamiya-Hase, Deputy Director of the Office of Policies against Marine Plastic Pollution, Ministry of the Environment, Japan, addressed global insights and regional actions, highlighting the importance of the role of the private sector in effectively tackling plastic pollution. She also informed that Japan would launch a database and mapping system of ocean surface microplastics in the coming spring that would be accessible globally through an open data system. She expressed her hope for this Experts Working Group to keep making tangible outputs for the benefit of the ASEAN+3 region.
Knowledge Sharing
Ms. Ayako Mizuno, Programme Manager of ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre gave an update on the ongoing ERIA-IGES project. Two ongoing projects are the World Bank’s Knowledge and Partnerships Platform of the Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP KPP) and OECD’s Report for the Asia Pacific Plastics Outlook. In addition, ERIA and IGES will continue to collaborate on EPR as a policy tool to combat marine plastics as well as on behavioral change project on Single Use Plastic, both to ensure timely and pertinent input to the realization of the Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris (2021-2025) by the AMS.
Dr. Peeraporn Palapleevalya, Country Expert, Secretary-General, Sustainable Consumption and Production Association of Thailand, presented the implementation of The Science, Technology, and Innovation Platform on Closed-Loop Plastic Packaging across Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam with support from UN ESCAP. The platform aimed to involve all stakeholders to effectively support plastic waste management at the national and regional levels by supporting an innovative ecosystem to develop a closed-loop plastic packaging infrastructure.
Data, Tools, Technology and Monitoring
Dr. Chen Liu, Research Manager of Sustainable Consumption and Production at IGES, updated on her study on the Comparative Analysis of Face Mask Usage and its Potential Environmental Impact in Asian Cities during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic. As COVID-19 had caused a surge in face mask usage and increased the burden on plastic waste management, it was essential to find sustainable alternatives to masks. The study concluded that finding a balance between health protection and environmental sustainability was crucial.
Mr. Dwayne Appleby, Programme Manager, Sustainable Consumption and Production at IGES, shared the results of the case studies from the Behavior Insight Project in four countries where behavioral interventions led to compelling results in reducing plastic consumption from the experiment. The upcoming second phase will build on the practical toolkit and key insights from the pilot project and explore further scale up, not just in terms of outputs but also with regard to regional partnership expansion.
Dr. Britta Denise Hardesty, Senior Principal Research Scientist, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) gave a presentation on Integrating CSIRO's Tool for Establishing Plastic Leakage Baselines with Data Standardization and Harmonization Efforts in Marine Monitoring Programs. She shared the value of data sharing and transparency and the importance of consistency, interoperability, and harmonization in data sharing. On harmonization efforts, she explained the importance of applying a consistent approach across countries so legitimate comparisons could be made.
Prof. Dr. Daoji Li, Professor, State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, gave a presentation on the progress of UN Ocean Decade Action and the progress of the microplastic research program at the UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific. He also shared the progress and activities of microplastic studies in the WESTPAC Microplastic Research Programme.
Mr. Suwan Nanthasarut, Environmental Expert, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thailand, and Ms. Vararin Vongpanich, Focal Point of ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME), Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thailand, gave a presentation on Enhancing Marine Debris Monitoring, Capacity Building, and Assessment Initiatives in Thailand. The presentation highlighted the status and results of Thai government collaboration with various organizations. They also informed about various efforts to tackle marine plastic debris implemented by the Thai government such as monitoring in marine ecosystems and analysis methodologies, regional training of trainers on monitoring and assessment of marine plastic litter and microplastic, fisheries management, collaboration with the Ocean Cleanup, pathways and movement of river plastic, river monitoring system, and national action plan on marine debris development.
Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of Regional Resource Centre for Asia and Pacific (RRC.AP) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) presented the results of phase one project of the Technical Guidelines for Plastics and Resin Pellets Leakage Prevention from Factories and Informal Recycling Sector in ASEAN, funded by ERIA, which resulted in producing situation assessment reports and technical guidelines/guidebook. The project aimed to enhance understanding of plastic and pellet leakage in the marine environment stemming from recycling activities and provide policy and technical support to governments. It also sought to establish a network among key stakeholders and increase awareness about recycling-related plastic pollution through workshops.
Dr. Yet Yin Hee, Researcher, and ERIA consultant based in Malaysia, delivered progress report on Monitoring Bioindicator Development for the ASEAN Region to Assess Marine Plastic Pollution. The presentation highlighted the key findings of the project survey from 2023, which focused on investigating marine litter monitoring programs in ASEAN nations, focusing on sampling, laboratory equipment availability, funding sources, capacity building, stakeholder perceptions regarding biota selection, and expected support from ERIA. Survey findings highlighted the presence of Marine Litter Monitoring Programs in ASEAN countries, with some nations showing proactive efforts while others exhibited gaps.
Dr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling, Professor and Director, UP Institute of Civil Engineering, recommended Harmonized Protocol for the Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in Sewage Treatment Plants and Riverine Environments in ASEAN. She presented recommended harmonized protocols for microplastics sampling, treatment, analysis, and monitoring at sewage treatment facilities and receiving rivers.
Day 1 of the meeting also included animated Group Discussions revolting around the two thematic below:
Knowledge Sharing/Information Exchange: Enhancing Strategies Against Plastic Pollution (Facilitated by Ms. Ayako Mizuno, ERIA and Ms. Chochoe Devaporihartakula, Programme Manager, IGES)
Data, Tools, Technology, and Monitoring (Facilitated by Dr. Vivek Anand Asokan, Policy Researcher, IGES)
The Experts Working Group on Marine Plastic Debris Meeting provided valuable insights into the ongoing efforts and future strategies for addressing marine plastic pollution in the ASEAN+3 region. The collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, academia, NGOs, and private sectors underscores the collective commitment to finding sustainable solutions to this pressing environmental issue.
Communication Officer
ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD), in collaboration with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), organized the 5th ERIA's Experts Working Group on Marine Plastic Debris Meeting on March 5th and 6th, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand.
The first day of the meeting focused on strategies to address marine plastic pollution in ASEAN+3 through Knowledge Sharing and Data, Tools, Technology, and Monitoring.
During her keynote speech, Dr. Noriko Tamiya-Hase, Deputy Director of the Office of Policies against Marine Plastic Pollution, Ministry of the Environment, Japan, addressed global insights and regional actions, highlighting the importance of the role of the private sector in effectively tackling plastic pollution. She also informed that Japan would launch a database and mapping system of ocean surface microplastics in the coming spring that would be accessible globally through an open data system. She expressed her hope for this Experts Working Group to keep making tangible outputs for the benefit of the ASEAN+3 region.
Knowledge Sharing
Ms. Ayako Mizuno, Programme Manager of ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre gave an update on the ongoing ERIA-IGES project. Two ongoing projects are the World Bank’s Knowledge and Partnerships Platform of the Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP KPP) and OECD’s Report for the Asia Pacific Plastics Outlook. In addition, ERIA and IGES will continue to collaborate on EPR as a policy tool to combat marine plastics as well as on behavioral change project on Single Use Plastic, both to ensure timely and pertinent input to the realization of the Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris (2021-2025) by the AMS.
Dr. Peeraporn Palapleevalya, Country Expert, Secretary-General, Sustainable Consumption and Production Association of Thailand, presented the implementation of The Science, Technology, and Innovation Platform on Closed-Loop Plastic Packaging across Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam with support from UN ESCAP. The platform aimed to involve all stakeholders to effectively support plastic waste management at the national and regional levels by supporting an innovative ecosystem to develop a closed-loop plastic packaging infrastructure.
Data, Tools, Technology and Monitoring
Dr. Chen Liu, Research Manager of Sustainable Consumption and Production at IGES, updated on her study on the Comparative Analysis of Face Mask Usage and its Potential Environmental Impact in Asian Cities during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic. As COVID-19 had caused a surge in face mask usage and increased the burden on plastic waste management, it was essential to find sustainable alternatives to masks. The study concluded that finding a balance between health protection and environmental sustainability was crucial.
Mr. Dwayne Appleby, Programme Manager, Sustainable Consumption and Production at IGES, shared the results of the case studies from the Behavior Insight Project in four countries where behavioral interventions led to compelling results in reducing plastic consumption from the experiment. The upcoming second phase will build on the practical toolkit and key insights from the pilot project and explore further scale up, not just in terms of outputs but also with regard to regional partnership expansion.
Dr. Britta Denise Hardesty, Senior Principal Research Scientist, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) gave a presentation on Integrating CSIRO's Tool for Establishing Plastic Leakage Baselines with Data Standardization and Harmonization Efforts in Marine Monitoring Programs. She shared the value of data sharing and transparency and the importance of consistency, interoperability, and harmonization in data sharing. On harmonization efforts, she explained the importance of applying a consistent approach across countries so legitimate comparisons could be made.
Prof. Dr. Daoji Li, Professor, State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, gave a presentation on the progress of UN Ocean Decade Action and the progress of the microplastic research program at the UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific. He also shared the progress and activities of microplastic studies in the WESTPAC Microplastic Research Programme.
Mr. Suwan Nanthasarut, Environmental Expert, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thailand, and Ms. Vararin Vongpanich, Focal Point of ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME), Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thailand, gave a presentation on Enhancing Marine Debris Monitoring, Capacity Building, and Assessment Initiatives in Thailand. The presentation highlighted the status and results of Thai government collaboration with various organizations. They also informed about various efforts to tackle marine plastic debris implemented by the Thai government such as monitoring in marine ecosystems and analysis methodologies, regional training of trainers on monitoring and assessment of marine plastic litter and microplastic, fisheries management, collaboration with the Ocean Cleanup, pathways and movement of river plastic, river monitoring system, and national action plan on marine debris development.
Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of Regional Resource Centre for Asia and Pacific (RRC.AP) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) presented the results of phase one project of the Technical Guidelines for Plastics and Resin Pellets Leakage Prevention from Factories and Informal Recycling Sector in ASEAN, funded by ERIA, which resulted in producing situation assessment reports and technical guidelines/guidebook. The project aimed to enhance understanding of plastic and pellet leakage in the marine environment stemming from recycling activities and provide policy and technical support to governments. It also sought to establish a network among key stakeholders and increase awareness about recycling-related plastic pollution through workshops.
Dr. Yet Yin Hee, Researcher, and ERIA consultant based in Malaysia, delivered progress report on Monitoring Bioindicator Development for the ASEAN Region to Assess Marine Plastic Pollution. The presentation highlighted the key findings of the project survey from 2023, which focused on investigating marine litter monitoring programs in ASEAN nations, focusing on sampling, laboratory equipment availability, funding sources, capacity building, stakeholder perceptions regarding biota selection, and expected support from ERIA. Survey findings highlighted the presence of Marine Litter Monitoring Programs in ASEAN countries, with some nations showing proactive efforts while others exhibited gaps.
Dr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling, Professor and Director, UP Institute of Civil Engineering, recommended Harmonized Protocol for the Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in Sewage Treatment Plants and Riverine Environments in ASEAN. She presented recommended harmonized protocols for microplastics sampling, treatment, analysis, and monitoring at sewage treatment facilities and receiving rivers.
Day 1 of the meeting also included animated Group Discussions revolting around the two thematic below:
Knowledge Sharing/Information Exchange: Enhancing Strategies Against Plastic Pollution (Facilitated by Ms. Ayako Mizuno, ERIA and Ms. Chochoe Devaporihartakula, Programme Manager, IGES)
Data, Tools, Technology, and Monitoring (Facilitated by Dr. Vivek Anand Asokan, Policy Researcher, IGES)
The Experts Working Group on Marine Plastic Debris Meeting provided valuable insights into the ongoing efforts and future strategies for addressing marine plastic pollution in the ASEAN+3 region. The collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, academia, NGOs, and private sectors underscores the collective commitment to finding sustainable solutions to this pressing environmental issue.
Communication Officer
