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TemaNord 2023:524
Acute Plastic Pollution: causes, problems and solutions
Acute Plastic Pollution: causes, problems and solutions
About this publication
PDF
Acronyms and abbreviations
Executive summary
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Purpose and structure of this document
1.3 Methodology
1.3.1 The approach applied
1.3.2 Research questions
2. Acute plastic discharges: the problem, types, their composition and sources
2.1 A brief introduction to the problem of plastic pollution and its impacts in general
2.1.1 Amounts, nature, composition and impacts
2.1.2 Sources and pathways of plastic pollution
2.1.3 The Definition of Acute Plastic Pollution
2.2 Acute plastic pollution, emphasizing plastic pellets: the nature of the problem
2.2.1 Nature, composition and amounts
2.2.2 Impacts
2.2.3 Sources and pathways for dispersion
2.3 Acute Plastic Discharges
2.3.1 Acute plastic discharges at sea
2.3.2 Sources and amounts of pellet loss
3. Regulations, responsibilities and measures
3.1 The global dimension: organisations, goals and treaties
3.1.1 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
3.1.2 The International Maritime Organization (IMO)
3.1.3 Sustainable Development Goal 14
3.1.4 Global legally binding agreement on plastic pollution – under preparation
3.1.5 Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses
3.1.6 The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
3.1.7 The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
3.1.8 The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
3.1.9 International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code
3.1.10 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS)
3.1.11 Other international treaties
3.1.12 Plastics Industry: Operation Clean Sweep
3.1.13 Global level – summary and conclusions
3.2 The European dimension: organisations and EU Directives
3.2.1 European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
3.2.2 Water Framework Directive (WFD)
3.2.3 Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
3.2.4 Other EU Directives
3.2.5 European level – summary and conclusions
3.3 The regional dimension: regional policies and conventions on (plastic) pollution
3.3.1 Helsinki Convention (HELCOM)
3.3.2 Oslo-Paris Convention (OSPAR)
3.3.3 Arctic Council
3.3.4 Nordic Council of Ministers
3.3.5 Bonn Agreement
3.3.6 Copenhagen Agreement
3.3.7 Sub-regional response plans
3.3.8 Cleanup cooperation on regional level
3.3.9 Regional level – summary and conclusions
3.4 National level: legislation and responsibilities
4. Discussion and conclusions
4.1 Discussion
4.1.1 Literature review
4.1.2 Interviews
4.2 Conclusions
4.2.1 What is the nature and magnitude of plastic pollution, emphasizing the marine environment?
4.2.2 What is acute plastic pollution and what is its nature and magnitude, emphasizing the marine environment?
4.2.3 What acute plastic pollution incidents of a relevant magnitude occurred at the Nordic countries and globally?
4.2.4 What approach was applied during clean-up operations after acute plastic pollution incidents?
4.2.5 What relevant agreements and regulations are present that address acute plastic pollution?
4.2.6 What organisational structure(s) are present at regional and national level and what cooperation exists between countries to address acute plastic pollution?
4.2.7 What guidelines and measures could be considered to be used for addressing acute plastic pollution?
4.2.8 What gaps are present regarding prevention, emergency response and clean-up of acute plastic pollution?
5. Recommendations
5.1 Recommendations for the international level
5.2 Recommendations for the regional (sea-basin) level
5.3 Recommendations for the national level
6. References
Annex I. Overview of interviewees
Annex II.a Interview questions for international umbrella organisations
Annex II.b Interview questions for governmental organisations of individual countries
Annex III.a An overview of national legislation and policies on (acute plastic) pollution in Denmark, Faroe and Greenland
Annex III.b An overview of national legislation and policies on (acute plastic) pollution in Finland and the Åland Islands
Annex III.c An overview of national legislation and policies on (acute plastic) pollution in Iceland
Annex III.d An overview of national legislation and policies on (acute plastic) pollution in Norway
Annex III.e An overview of national legislation and policies on (acute plastic) pollution in Sweden