ODA Topics 5
The Marine Plastic Problem
Putting in place new initiatives to take action as the G20 Osaka Summit Presidency, together with developing countries
Waste management training at a JICA center (Photo: JICA)
Marine plastic litter on a beach in Thailand (Photo: Professor ISOBE Atsuhiko, Kyushu University)
Plastic is easily mass-produced at a low cost, safe, and hygienic. For these reasons, it is used in a wide range of products such as shopping bags and bottles, etc. and has permeated many aspects of our lives. However, when the plastic product is not properly disposed of after use, illegally dumped in the oceans, or inadequately disposed of during a landfill operation, it eventually flows into rivers and oceans. This raises concerns of its adverse impact on marine ecology, tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture. Moreover, microplastic, which is generated when plastic breaks down into fine particles, can be consumed by fish and other marine life that mistake it for food. Consequently, the chemical substances in microplastics may enter our food chain, raising concerns on the possibility of its harmful effects on human health.
Generally, it is said that as much as 8 million tons of plastic litter flow into the oceans every year, the same weight as 50,000 jumbo jets. It is also said that once plastic flows into the sea, it continues to float in the water for a long time without disappearing, and according to one estimate, it would take 400 years for a single plastic bottle to be decomposed completely. This is an extremely long time, equivalent to the length of time from the Siege of Osaka in 1614 in the Edo period to the present day.
In June 2019, the G20 Summit was held for the first time in Japan, in Osaka. Japan took this opportunity to demonstrate its leadership in the international community by unveiling the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision as the G20 Presidency. The Osaka Blue Ocean Vision aims to reduce additional marine plastic pollution to zero by 2050. This Vision has made milestones since it was agreed upon by the heads of state of the G20, instead of the G7, and this relates to the source of marine plastic discharged around the world. The volume of marine plastic discharged by G7 countries has been estimated to make up approximately only 2% of the total, while that of the G20 countries is said to make up around 48% of the total. This figure highlights the fact that the marine plastic problem has to be addressed by all G20 members, including developing countries, as well as by the whole world.
The G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter was endorsed at the G20 Osaka summit in order to promote the coordinated and effective implementation of measures by each country towards the realization of the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision. Through this framework, member states will report and share their respective national actions on marine litter with other G20 members. The G20 member states, including developing countries, reached an agreement on a common global vision and international framework, and decided to reach out to other members of the international community to disseminate them beyond the boundaries of the G20.
Japan also took the opportunity of the G20 Osaka Summit to announce the launch of the “MARINE Initiative.” As previously indicated, the reduction of marine plastic litter in the world cannot be achieved through the efforts of Japan alone, and it is necessary to take measures to prevent the discharge of marine plastic litter in developing ountries. In light of this, the MARINE Initiative makes use of ODA and other means to provide support in the following four areas: (i) Management of Wastes, (ii) Recovery of marine litter, (iii) Innovation, and (iv) Empowerment with the aim of enhancing waste management in developing countries. Under this initiative Japan will also provide training for 10,000 officials engaging in waste management all over the world by 2025, as well as support for capacity building and human resource development in Southeast Asia. The results of this initiative are expected to be seen in the near future.
A good example of Japan’s assistance so far is the training of cleaning staff and provision of waste collection vehicles in Bangladesh. Through Japan’s support, the waste collection rate improved from 44% in 2004 to 80% in 2018. Japan is also utilizing these achievements for cooperation in quality infrastructure development for waste disposal.
Furthermore, there is a need to also build up scientific knowledge in order to reduce marine plastic litter. The real picture of the marine plastic discharge has not been completely figured out. Therefore, Japan contributed funding to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in March 2019 in order to identify the source and route of marine plastic emissions, and establish models for monitoring methods in Southeast Asia (Mekong River basin) and India (the Ganges Valley and Mumbai), and subsequently lead these countries to introduce policies, such as the introduction of appropriate waste disposal systems.