UK-India Twin Cities Marine Litter Partnership

About this event

Addressing plastic pollution is an important part of the UK’s Clean Growth strategy, and is a priority shared with the Government of India. Up to 90% of marine litter is made up of plastics, originating from both land and sea-based sources.  This makes plastic pollution one of the most widespread problems facing our oceans today. If we are to tackle this issue, urgent, coordinated and effective action is paramount. In November 2019, UK Science and Innovation Network, jointly with Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, held a cross disciplinary workshop of marine litter experts from India and the UK with the objective of identifying opportunities for bilateral collaboration. One recommendation was a “Twin Cities” initiative, creating strong links between specific cities in both countries to facilitate shared learning and best practice to tackle the gaps resulting in movement of plastic from land source to marine bodies. This concept would also support the UK Prime Minister’s aim to engage Northern or Devolved Administration cities more directly into international initiatives. Objectives 1. Introduce and initiate engagement between scientists, innovators and policymakers in specific UK and India cities, with common marine litter related challenges and goals; 2. Representatives to share their respective monitoring and evidence gathering practices using science and technology in the management of marine litter; 3. Representatives of both cities to identify one or two specific priority challenges to explore how science and innovation can help mitigating marine litter and provide robust evidence to support marine litter policy.

Event Organiser

British High Commission