东盟-东盟成员国打击海洋废弃物区域行动计划（英文）-2021.6-54页_2mb

ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris (2021-2025) Summary

Core Content

The ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris (RAP) outlines a comprehensive strategy to address marine plastic debris across ASEAN Member States (AMS) from 2021 to 2025. It emphasizes an integrated, multi-stakeholder approach to reduce plastic waste and its environmental impact, with a focus on creating sustainable systems and enhancing regional cooperation.

Main Objectives

• To reduce the amount of marine plastic debris through improved waste management and policy frameworks.
• To strengthen regional governance and cooperation mechanisms.
• To promote circular economy principles and sustainable practices.
• To enhance public awareness and private sector engagement.
• To support the implementation of national-level initiatives and policies.

Key Components of the Action Plan

1. Policy Support and Planning

• Develop and implement effective legal and policy frameworks to manage plastic waste.
• Align national policies with the RAP to ensure consistency and support across the region.

2. Research, Innovation, and Capacity Building

• Promote knowledge sharing and research to better understand the sources and impacts of marine debris.
• Strengthen technical and institutional capacities for effective waste management.

3. Public Awareness, Education, and Outreach

• Raise awareness among the public and stakeholders about the environmental and economic consequences of marine debris.
• Encourage behavior change through education and outreach activities.

4. Private Sector Engagement

• Encourage the private sector to adopt sustainable practices and reduce plastic leakage.
• Support the development of markets for recycled materials and promote innovation in waste management technologies.

Implementation Plan

The RAP is implemented in three phases:

1. Planning Phase: Establishing enabling conditions and coordinating with stakeholders.
2. Implementation Phase: Executing the strategies and actions outlined in the plan.
3. Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation Phase: Tracking progress, evaluating outcomes, and ensuring accountability.

Key Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

• Insufficient Waste Management: Only 53% of waste is collected in ASEAN, with less than a quarter being recycled.
• Single-Use Plastics: High consumption of single-use plastics contributes significantly to marine debris.
• Transboundary Issues: Increased plastic waste imports due to China's policy changes have created environmental and regulatory challenges.
• Urbanization and Economic Growth: These factors are expected to increase plastic waste generation and leakage.

Opportunities

• Integrated Value Chain Approach: Opportunities exist across the plastic waste value chain, including reducing plastic use, improving collection and recycling, and creating value from waste reuse.
• Regional Cooperation: ASEAN Working Groups (AWGCME, AWG CW, AWGESC) and international partnerships (e.g., World Bank, PEMSEA, COBSEA) provide platforms for collaboration.
• Circular Economy: Emphasis on circular economy principles offers a sustainable path to manage plastic waste and reduce environmental impact.

International and Regional Commitments

• UNCLOS: Provides a legal framework for managing marine pollution and regulating land-based sources.
• London Convention: Focuses on preventing the dumping of harmful substances into the sea.
• MARPOL Convention: Regulates garbage discharge from ships and requires port reception facilities.
• Basel Convention: Restricts the import of plastic waste and requires prior informed consent for certain types of waste.
• ASEAN Initiatives: Includes the Bangkok Declaration, ASEAN Framework of Action, and the ASEAN+3 Marine Plastics Debris Cooperative Action Initiative.

Support and Collaboration

• The RAP was developed under the leadership of Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and supported by the World Bank through the PROBLUE initiative.
• Technical consultants (Austrian Environment Agency and Alphabeta) contributed to the drafting and consultation process.
• Regional knowledge centers and capacity-building projects (e.g., ASEANO, RC3S) support the implementation of the RAP.

Conclusion

The RAP aims to create a sustainable and integrated response to marine debris in ASEAN, focusing on policy development, capacity building, public engagement, and private sector collaboration. It is designed to address the growing issue of plastic pollution, improve waste management systems, and align with international and regional commitments to protect marine environments for future generations.