Virtual, 26 July 2025: The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), supported by the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), hosted the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN) 2.0 Masterclass online. Ms Aulia Salsabella Suwarno, Research Associate at ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, spoke on the critical role of research in shaping effective plastic reduction programmes.
‘As a Regional Knowledge Centre, research plays an important role in our activities. It guides us in developing targeted policy recommendations for tackling plastic pollution in the region,’ she explained.
She shared a research initiative by the Centre that examined marine debris abundance on small islands. A literature review conducted as part of the study found that significantly higher volumes of marine debris are found on small islands compared to mainland areas, underscoring the need for more strengthened interventions. The findings also identified anthropogenic waste-generating activities on islands as a key driver of shoreline macrodebris accumulation.
Building on this evidence, the study recommended improving waste management systems on small islands, particularly through the replication of successful practices already implemented in similar contexts.
‘Another example of utilising research for policy advocacy is how we synthesised key findings from the ASEAN Conference on Combating Plastic Pollution in 2023 into a recommendations report. This report then laid the groundwork for the ASEAN Declaration on Plastic Circularity, which we helped draft in support of the Lao PDR Government,’ Ms Suwarno added.
Also read: ASEAN Conference on Combating Plastic Pollution 2024 Report
Her presentation aimed to equip youth participants with practical insights for designing impactful local projects – from awareness campaigns to innovation in plastic alternatives – that support plastic pollution reduction in their communities.
Ms Suwarno encouraged the use of the Behavioural Insights framework when seeking to influence plastic consumption and disposal behaviours at the community level. The framework incorporates six behavioural levers – rules and regulations, emotional appeals, information, social influences, material incentives, and choice architecture – that promote sustainable behaviour change.
‘From Phase 1 of our “Breaking the Plastic Habit in ASEAN” project, we saw how applying this framework successfully drove plastic reduction habits in schools and markets. We would therefore encourage you to take a look at our Toolkit and design your own awareness-raising programmes that create a positive behaviour change towards plastic pollution reduction in your community,’ she concluded.
Also read: Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
Research Associate
Virtual, 26 July 2025: The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), supported by the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), hosted the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN) 2.0 Masterclass online. Ms Aulia Salsabella Suwarno, Research Associate at ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, spoke on the critical role of research in shaping effective plastic reduction programmes.
‘As a Regional Knowledge Centre, research plays an important role in our activities. It guides us in developing targeted policy recommendations for tackling plastic pollution in the region,’ she explained.
She shared a research initiative by the Centre that examined marine debris abundance on small islands. A literature review conducted as part of the study found that significantly higher volumes of marine debris are found on small islands compared to mainland areas, underscoring the need for more strengthened interventions. The findings also identified anthropogenic waste-generating activities on islands as a key driver of shoreline macrodebris accumulation.
Building on this evidence, the study recommended improving waste management systems on small islands, particularly through the replication of successful practices already implemented in similar contexts.
‘Another example of utilising research for policy advocacy is how we synthesised key findings from the ASEAN Conference on Combating Plastic Pollution in 2023 into a recommendations report. This report then laid the groundwork for the ASEAN Declaration on Plastic Circularity, which we helped draft in support of the Lao PDR Government,’ Ms Suwarno added.
Also read: ASEAN Conference on Combating Plastic Pollution 2024 Report
Her presentation aimed to equip youth participants with practical insights for designing impactful local projects – from awareness campaigns to innovation in plastic alternatives – that support plastic pollution reduction in their communities.
Ms Suwarno encouraged the use of the Behavioural Insights framework when seeking to influence plastic consumption and disposal behaviours at the community level. The framework incorporates six behavioural levers – rules and regulations, emotional appeals, information, social influences, material incentives, and choice architecture – that promote sustainable behaviour change.
‘From Phase 1 of our “Breaking the Plastic Habit in ASEAN” project, we saw how applying this framework successfully drove plastic reduction habits in schools and markets. We would therefore encourage you to take a look at our Toolkit and design your own awareness-raising programmes that create a positive behaviour change towards plastic pollution reduction in your community,’ she concluded.
Also read: Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
Research Associate
