Voices for Earth Youth-Led Advocacy Summit to End Plastic Pollution

Editors:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Editors

DrArielRositaKing

MosesEkwere

PageLayout Artist

MosesEkwere

PARTNERS

AUTHORS

Introduction

DR ARIELROSITAKING, MPH,MBA,PHD(UK),DTM&H,PHD(FRANCE)

FounderandPresidentArielFoundationInternational&Dr.KingSolutions

How Youth-Led Environmental Action at Jamestown Beach Ignites

Global Solutions to #BeatPlasticPollution

Naña Mkparawa ye Uboikpa ekenam yak nkan nkuk asana ke mben mmọñg Jamestown

SirMosesEkwere

CountryDirectorAFI-Ghana &Nigeria

Jordan’s Youth vs. Plastic Pollution

LadyAmalShamoun(Jordan)

Breaking the Plastic Pollution:

International Response and Community Action लाट

LadyHamishaRijal,MA(Nepal)

Plastic waste and Small Developing Island States (SIDS)

Residus plàstics i els Petits Estats Insulars en Desenvolupament (PEID)

SirMaxTuana(Spain/USA)

Digital Futures, Green Foundations:

Bridging Education and Environmental Responsibility in Africa

Anigyina Digital Ne Nsase Ho Banbɔ: Sɛnea Yɛbɛbɔ Suapɔn Nneɛma Ne Nsase Ho Banbɔ Wɔ Afrika Mu Wɔkyerɛw

LadyNicoleOdudu(Ghana)

The No-Plastic Handshake:

Taiwan’s Development in a Circular Economy

LadyVivianCostello(USA)

to #BeatPlasticPollution Naña Mkparawa ye Uboikpa ekenam yak nkan nkuk asana ke mben

Jamestown

INTRODUCTION

On June 5, 2025, World Environment Day, we are proud to presentVoicesforEarth:Youth-LedAdvocacySummittoEnd Plastic Pollution, a milestone global event organized by Ariel Foundation International, with the distinguished support of ourHeadlineSponsor,theRotaryClubofStoneMountain.

This summit is far more than an environmental event; it is a declarationofcommitmentbyandforthenextgeneration.For over two decades, Ariel Foundation International has created platforms that elevate the voices of young people, ensuring that children and youth are heard in decision making spaces locallyandglobally.Withthissummit,wecontinuethatlegacy bycenteringyouthperspectivesinoneofthemosturgent

environmentalcrisesofourtime:plasticpollution.

The summit aligns with the global theme for World Environment Day 2025, “Together, We Can #BeatPlasticPollution,” and it supports the ongoing negotiations toward a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty. By placing youth at the heart of advocacy and solution-building, this event challenges us all to confront the historical injustices of pollutionwhileembracinginnovation,collaboration,andcommunity-drivenaction.

With participation from youth across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean, Voices for Earth is a global conversation, a platform for lived experience, and a launchpad for bold ideas. Throughout this publication, you will find powerful youth statements, policy recommendations, innovative campaigns, and stories of resilience and impact, all crafted by young leaders determined to protect their future andourplanet

This report also honors the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain for their visionary support, enabling diverse participation and technological accessibility. Their partnership reflects the transformative potential of civic organizations in global sustainability efforts

As you turn each page of this publication, I invite you to listen to the passion, the urgency, the clarity, and the brilliance of youth. Their leadership is not tomorrow’s hope; it is today’s force. Let us walk alongside them, advocate with them, and empowerthemasco-creatorsofthesolutionsourworldsodesperatelyneeds

Letusallcommit together tobeatplasticpollution,andtoensurethatthevoicesfor EarthechofarbeyondJune5th,2025.

CEPTNOTE

VOICESFOREARTH:YOUTH-LEDADVOCACYSUMMITTOENDPLASTICPOLLUTION Together,WeCan#BeatPlasticPollution

Sinceitsfoundingin2002,ArielFoundationInternationalhaschampionedthevoices of children and youth in global governance, creating safe spaces for them to actively participate in shaping a better world. For over two decades, AFI has facilitated meaningful youth engagement at international forums, including the United Nations, the European Parliament, and grassroots policy settings. On World Environment Day 2025, AFI builds on this legacy by convening “Voices for Earth: Youth-Led Advocacy SummittoEndPlasticPollution. ”

Plastic pollution remains one of the most visible and urgent environmental crises of ourtime.Withover9billiontonsofplasticproducedsincethe1950sandmorethan12 million tons entering the oceans each year, the damage to marine life, human health, and ecosystems is devastating Plastic debris now contaminates the deepest ocean trenches and the highest mountain peaks. Yet, youth who will bear the longtermimpactsaretoooftenleftoutofcriticalpolicyprocessesshapingthefuture.

VisionandPurpose

The Voices for Earth Summit is a global youth-driven initiative designed to mobilize, empower, and amplify young changemakers leading innovative solutions to plastic pollution. The summit aligns with UNEP’s theme for World Environment Day 2025 and supports the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) efforts for a legallybindingGlobalPlasticsTreaty.

By creating a powerful platform for advocacy, dialogue, education, and collaboration,ArielFoundationInternationalseeksto:

Elevate youth-led innovations and research on waste reduction, circular economy,andplasticalternatives.

Build policy literacy among young leaders to meaningfully engage with the treatynegotiationprocess

Catalyze global solidarity among youth networks to hold governments and corporationsaccountable.

Document and archive youth perspectives for inclusion in global environmental reportsandtreaties.

SummitObjectives

1.Raise global awareness of the disproportionate impacts of plastic pollutiononyouthandmarginalizedcommunities.

2.Support inclusive and rights-based implementation of the Global PlasticsTreatybyensuringyouthvoicesareheard.

3. Showcaseyouth-ledbestpractices,fromgrassrootscampaignsto digitalclean-uptechnologies.

4. Foster intergenerational partnerships between youth, experts, diplomats,andpolicymakers.

5. Produce a Youth Call to Action with policy recommendations to be submittedtotheUNandINCnegotiators.

KeyActivities

Global Youth Roundtable Discussions (Africa, Europe, Asia, Americas,Caribbean)

Live Virtual Keynotes & Fireside Chats with climate activists, ChangeMakers,andscientists

Rotary Club of Stone Mountain Humanitarian Recognition

Segment,spotlightingcommunity-ledinnovations

“Voices for Earth” Multimedia Campaign: youth-produced videos, art,poems,andspokenwordonplasticpollution

DigitalAdvocacyToolkitLaunchforglobalyouthmobilization

Closing Session: “Voices to Policy” Dialogue, youth present actionablerecommendationstodecision-makers

HeadlineSponsorAcknowledgment

The Rotary Club of Stone Mountain serves as the official headline sponsor of the 2025 Summit. Their enduring commitment to humanitarian action and environmental sustainability underscores the vital role of civic leadership in empowering grassroots efforts to beat plastic pollution. Their sponsorship supports youth leadership and advocacy,digitalinfrastructure,andmultimediadocumentation.

ImpactandLegacy

This summit will feed into international efforts to strengthen national implementation capacities of the future Global Plastics Treaty by highlightingthecriticalroleofyouthin:

Policymonitoringandaccountability

Communityeducationandmobilization

Technologicalinnovationandentrepreneurship

Ariel Foundation International will compile all summit outcomes into a Youth Advocacy Report, to be presented at upcoming United Nations and UNEP events, ensuring that the ideas, concerns, and solutions of youngpeopledirectlyinfluencetreatydesignandrollout.

Conclusion

Voices for Earth reflects Ariel Foundation International’s unwavering belief that young people are not only the inheritors of the planet but also its most courageous defenders. As the world races toward finalizing a historic Global Plastics Treaty, now is the time to ensure thatthevoicesofyouth,diverse,passionate,andsolution-focused,are notjustheardbutheeded.

HowYouth-LedEnvironmentalActionatJamestownBeachIgnites GlobalSolutionsto#BeatPlasticPollution

Abstract

Plasticpollutionrepresentsoneofthegravestenvironmental crises of our time, threatening marine ecosystems, public health,andtheglobalfoodchain Asnationsraceagainsttime to craft a binding global treaty to end plastic pollution, grassrootseffortsledbyyouth,suchasthe2024Jamestown Beach Clean-Up in Ghana-offer a compelling blueprint for change Thisarticle,presentedinconjunctionwiththe2025 UNEP World Environment Day and the “Voices for Earth” YouthAdvocacySummit,exploresthetransformativepower ofyouth-ledactionintacklingplasticpollution.

UsingtheJamestowninitiativeasacasestudy,thisresearchexaminestheintersection of civic engagement, environmental justice, and policy advocacy, and calls for the integrationofyouth-drivencommunityserviceintoglobalpolicyframeworks.

Introduction

Plasticpollutionisaplanetarycrisiswithsocial,economic,andecologicaldimensions Fromsuffocatingmarinelifetocontaminatinghumanbloodstreamswithmicroplastics, the reach of this synthetic menace is near-total While international negotiations to forge a Global Plastics Treaty are underway, the most potent force for action may alreadybeinmotion,youth-led,community-rootedadvocacyandintervention

The2025themeforWorldEnvironmentDay“Together,WeCan#BeatPlasticPollution” recognizestheurgencyforcollective,coordinatedaction.Italsounderlinestheneedfor freshvoices,decentralizedinitiatives,andgrassrootsinnovation Atthecenterofthis movement are young people who, empowered by vision, tools, and solidarity, are transformingconcernintoconcretechange

The Case Study: Jamestown Beach Clean-Up 2024

ConceivedandledbyArielFoundationInternationalduringGlobalYouthServiceDay 2024, the Jamestown Beach Clean-Up mobilized over 100 youth volunteers, in collaboration with Ecozoil Waste Managemet Ltd, local artisans, fisherfolk, and communityleaders Theeventmarkednotjustacleanup,butacommunityawakening

“what we saw at Jamestown was more than service, it was an uprising of responsibility. Youth became environmental stewards, educators, and policy actors.” Dr. Ariel Rosita King

Sir Moses Ekwere Country Director AFI - Ghana & Nigeria

Overaspanofeighthours,theteamremovednearlytwometrictonsofplasticwaste,including single-use bottles, abandoned nets, and microplastics embedded in the shoreline. Ecozoil provided logistics and technical support, while youth volunteers conducted plastic audits, sortedrecyclables,andgatheredenvironmentaldataforpolicyreporting.Thisinitiativewasnot just about cleaning the coast, it became a platform for intergenerational dialogue, civil education,andyouthempowerment

The Impact of Plastic Pollution on Coastal Communities

TheJamestowncaseunderscoresalargertruth:Plasticpollutionisnotjustanenvironmental issue;itisahumanrightsissue.CoastalcommunitieslikeJamestownrelyonhealthymarine environments for fishing, drinking water, and tourism. Yet, plastic waste introduces a toxic cascade:marineanimalsingestplastic,disruptingbiodiversityandendangeringfoodchains; microplasticsinfiltratefishstocks,posinghealthriskstohumans;contaminatedbeachesdeter tourism,reducinglocalincome;andtoxicleachatesfromplasticspollutegroundwater,causing diseaseslikecholeraanddysentery.

By involving young people in direct intervention, the Jamestown initiative fostered a new generationofeco-literatesandclimateadvocateswhonowunderstandthelivedimplicationsof globalinaction

From Cleanup to Policy: Linking Local Action to Global Advocacy

VoicesforEarth:Youth-LedAdvocacySummittoEndPlasticPollutionisacriticalnextstep. HostedbyArielFoundationInternationalaspartoftheUNEPWorldEnvironmentDay2025 programming, the summit convenes youth leaders, scientists, policymakers, and global advocates to discuss strategies for scaling community clean-up models globally, integrating indigenous knowledge, promoting circular economies, and amplifying youth voices in the GlobalPlasticTreatynegotiationprocess.

Youth as Catalysts for Systemic Change

TheSummitembodiesacrucialshiftintheclimatemovement,fromtop-downpolicymakingto grassroots-led, youth-powered systems change. As the world approaches the next phase of treatynegotiations,thecontributionsofyoungpeoplemustmovefromtokenisticinclusionto equitableparticipation

“The solutions to plastic pollution are already in the hands of young people. What they need is not more instructions, but investment and inclusion.” UNEP Youth Dialogue, 2024

Education systems, local governments, and international agencies must now prioritize: Environmentalleadershipprograms

Youthclimatefellowships

Participatorybudgetingforgreeninitiatives

Mandatoryyouthseatsinenvironmentalgovernancestructures.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The Jamestown Beach Clean-Up was not an isolated event, it was the spark of a movement.AsWorldEnvironmentDay2025unfoldsunderthebanner“TogetherWe Can#BeatPlasticPollution,”theworldmustlooktoexampleslikeJamestownforboth inspirationandinstruction

Wemustelevateandinvestinyouth-ledsolutions,treatgrassrootsactionasscalable models, and ensure that every treaty, law, and policy reflects the lived realities of communitiesmostaffected

Plasticpollutionissolvable Thequestionisnolonger'how?'but'willwe?'IfJamestown isanyindicator,theanswerisaresoundingyes-together,wecan.

References

United Nations Environment Programme (2023) Turning off the Tap: How the worldcanendplasticpollutionandcreateacirculareconomy.UNEP.

GlobalYouthServiceDay (2024) YouthChangingtheWorld:GYSDImpactReport YouthServiceAmerica.

Ariel Foundation International (2024) Jamestown Beach Clean-Up Initiative InternalReport.

UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme (2024) BeatPlasticPollutionCampaign Overview.UNEP.

WorldHealthOrganization (2022) MicroplasticsinDrinking-WaterWHO

Naña Mkparawa ye Uboikpa ekenam yak nkan nkuk asana ke mben mmọñg

Jamestown:

Okpo edionoke nte mbio odo ata ekamba mfina ono nkan nkuk nyin idaha emi, odo mfinaonommeiyakkemmong,akamaudonoonommeowoonyunodomfinaonomme mfrikeiwang.Nanammeididnyinedakaedaeditreuduonookpokenkannkuknyin, mkparawayeUboikpaesinifikeditreudonookpokenkannkuknyin,nteadaekenama kembenmmongJamestown2024keGhanaamaanamataekambaukpugoremkpo.

Nwenamiabeneowotnana2025UNEPWorldEnvironmentalDayyeuyomkparawaye Uboikpakeoferiererimbotedakaedaedinamukpugoremkpombanauduonookpoke nkannkuk.AdidaduwutmkpokeseekenamkeJamestown,mmenduhoreemiesin uwam ono nkan nkuk nyin ke edinam mkparawa ye Uboikpa edaka eda enam idun asana.

Okpoeduohokeodomfinaafinakammeididkeafidfidikpeghe.Mmeokpoamiobob mme iyak ke mmong iwek onyung odo mfina ono mme owo, mme mfina eke okpo anamaokponeti-eti.

KemmeididekokeibuoteditremmemfinaamimkparawayeUboikpaedakadaadise nanaetremfinaemi

2025themeWorldEnvironmentalDay;keedidianakeediyaisiookpouyongkemeidid nnyin.Emianamyakidionokeimiyemufauyoseekamaebinmmemfinaemiefep,ye mmeusunesiohemfinaamiuyong

Jordan’s Youth vs. Plastic Pollution

Where We Stand

Iama Jordanianwomanbornandraised inAmman Everyday,Iseeplasticwaste litteringnotjustthesidewalks,but alsoin our landscapes and in places that were once clean and pristine. Like many countriesintheregion,trashintheform of plastic is everywhere in Jordan: bags, bottles, wrappers, containers. However, whatmanypeopledon’tseeisthatthese youngpeopleherearenotstayingsilent. We’re cleaning up, raising awareness, buildingnewideas,andcallingforchange. This isn’t a formal report. It’s a true life taleofhowwe’reresistingwithfewtools butthemostinspiringofmotivations.

Jordan consumesmorethan 3 billion plasticbagsannually Millionswinduponstreets, valleysand eveninprotectednaturalareas.Werecycle,butournationalrecyclingrate is under 10% (The Jordan Times, 2023) Non-biodegradable black plastic bags were banned by the government in 2017, and rules were put in place for eco-friendly alternatives(UNEP,2021) Yetplasticbagsarestilleverywhere,inmarkets,bakeriesand even government buildings. They are cheap and convenient, and just about no one enforcestheban.

Thisisnotjust aboutwaste It’samatterofpublichealth,environmentaldegradation andloss ofdignityinpublicspaces.WadiAl-ShitaorWadiMujibwalkinWadi Al-Shita orWadiMujibwithoutseeingplasticbottlesensnaredinbushesorfloatinginstreams

What We’re Doing

AndyoungJordanians arerespondingtoallofthis Notbecausetheyweretoldtodoso, but because they care. The environmental organization Green Iris in Amman coordinates volunteers to conduct cleanups at Wadi Al-Shita. During a particular Saturday event, fifty volunteers together collected ten full bags of trash. Beyond the cleanupprocess,volunteersengageinmeaningfuldialoguestodiscussvarioustopics. People'sunderstandingoftheenvironmentbeginswiththequery,"Whyareyoudoing this?"(TheNewArab,2024).

Lady Amal Shamoun (Jordan)

Studentsfromdifferentcollegeshavecometogethertoimplementvariousplastic-free campusprojectslikesortingtrash,usingreusablebottles,andmeetingwithuniversity administrationtoupdatepolicies.AttheUniversityofJordan,Ihaveseenthisapproach beingimplementedanditiseffective.TheUniversityofJordanunveilsits2024

sustainability report, which is a collection of the plastic awareness outreach programs, recyclingprojectsaswellaspolicychangesintheregion(UniversityofJordan,2024).

SomeyoungpeopleinJordanaregivinganewlifetoplasticwasteandatthesametimecoming upwithnewideas Onegroupcreatedbricksbymeltingplasticandthentheyusedthesebricks torepairwallsataschoolintheirlocality Theotheroneisgoingtousethewastegeneratedby palmstomakethepackagingwhichisbiodegradable.Thesearesomeyouth-driven,inexpensive fixesforlocalproblems.Theirsourceoffundingisnotmajorbuttheirimpactisreal(UNICEF, 2024)

The Real Challenge: Awareness

Let’s be honest, many young people in Jordan still don’t see plastic pollution as a serious problem.That’snottheirfault.Environmentaleducationismissingfrommostschools.Media barelycoversit Andmostgovernmentoutreachistechnical,notyouth-friendly Sopartofour workisawareness.Andit’shard.

We need:

●Clear,simplemessagesinArabic

●Moreyouth-createdcontentonsocialmedia

●Programsthatreachruralareasandrefugeecamps

●Storiesthatshowwhythismatters,notjusthowmuchitcosts

Since2017Jordanhashadalawbanningtheproductionanduseofblackplasticbagsand forcingbusinessestoswitchtobiodegradableproducts Butwhatisreallyhappening?Many shopsareignoringthelaw Inspectionsarelimitedandwithnoenforcement Therehavebeen nearlynoawarenessinterventions(UNEP,2021).

Ifyoungpeopleknewhowplasticharmstheirhealth,theirwater,theirfood,they’dcaremore Butwehavetoshowthem,notlecturethem

What About the Law?

The law was a leap forward. But a leap forward without enforcement, and with no accountability,isworthless.Youngpeoplecanplayarolehere.

Wecannotmakelaws,butwecanuseourvoices,documentbreaches,speakwithofficialsin municipalities,andholdthemtoaccount Lawsonlymakeadifferencewhenpeopledemand theirenforcement،andthatenforcementactuallyhappens.

What We Need

Wedon'tsimplywantto"raiseawareness"-wewanttolead.Butweneedsupport.

Weneedfundingforyouth-ledenvironmentalprojects,especiallyrelatedtoreducing plastic (including innovation and education) They are usually so underfunded and primarily volunteer-driven, that they have limited ability to scale-up (Arab Youth Center,2024)

Weneedpartnershipswithmunicipalitiesandschoolsthatallowyouthtoleadcleanup efforts, recycle systems, and push longer -termuse of plastic policy (Goethe-Institut, 2024)

Weneedmediaspaceforourstories-onlocaltelevision,onsocialmedia,andelevators innationalcampaigns Environmentalstorytelling,inArabic,ledbyyouth,canchange tothepublicbehavior(UNEPWestAsia,2024)

WeneednetworkswithyouthacrosstheArabwordandbeyond Whetheryoulivein Egypt,Tunisia,Lebanon-wefacethesameplasticcrisis.Whenweworktogether,we caninnovatemorequickly,buildsolidarityandgreatercollectiveimpact(UNDPArab States,2024).

Weneedtodevelopschoolcurriculatoincludeeducationonenvironmentalissuesand pollutionawareness

BreakingthePlasticPollution: InternationalResponseandCommunityAction

Manufacturingofplastichasrisencumulativelyoverthepast decades,andtodayitisover460millionmetrictonsannually. 20millionmetrictonsofthatarereportedtocontaminateour landandmarineecosystemsannually Nearlyone-thirdofall plastic waste is eliminated improperly and causes catastrophicimpactsonbiodiversityandhumanhealth.

Plastic pollution is a global issue that knows no borders. It contaminates oceans, kills marine life, pollutes food chains, andimpactshumanhealth.Whileglobalinitiativessuchasthe UNGlobalPlasticPollutionTreatyseektocombattheproblem end-to-end across the plastic life cycle, community and grassroots action cannot be avoided. All individuals, communities, and nations must join the fight to overcome plasticpollution.

InNepal,thelocaleco-friendlypracticessuchasutilizingTapari,Salleafplateshave becomeviablealternativestosingle-useplastic.Taparisareentirelybiodegradableand renewable. Taparis are made by stitching 4-5 Sal leaves with thin bamboo sticks. Nowadays,theyarebeingcommonlyutilizedbystreetfoodstallsthroughoutNepalasan environmentally friendly alternative. Surprisingly, Taparis are increasingly attracting internationalinterestfortheirsustainablevalue,whichhasbeenboostingglobaldemand andexportmarkets.

Yetonemoreessentialcontributortoplasticpollutionaremenstrualproducts.Sanitary padsareanotablebutwidelyneglectedsourceofplasticpollution Padscancontainas muchas90%plastic,andindividuallyweighasmuchasfourplasticbags.Theycantake upto800yearstobreakdown Over200,000metrictonsofwasteareproducedevery yearintheUKfrommenstrualproductsalone.

Multiple startups and organizations in Nepal offer sustainable period products. Putali Nepalisretailingmenstrualcupsandofferingenvironmentallyfriendlymenstrualhealth education.EcoSathiNepalproducesbiodegradablemenstrualproductsandotherecofriendly items. Miteri Jaibik Pad Udhyog produces biodegradable sanitary pads made fromorganicmaterialstocutdownonwasteanddispelmenstruationmyths.

Communicatorsplayakeyroleinthesolutionofplasticpollution.Communicatorsplaya vitalpartineducatingthepublicabouthowplasticinfluencestheenvironmentaswellas alternatives. Public opinion is shaped through advocacy of green consumerism and sustainable policies by communicators With storytelling, media, and efforts that encouragepeople,theyareabletomobilizecommunitiesandbringaboutaculturalshift tosustainability.

Lady Hamisha Rijal, MA (Nepal)

Wemustcombatplasticpollutionwithacollective,multi-levelapproach.International conventionsandlawsareparamount,butlocalinnovationslikeNepal'sTapariandgreen menstruationproductsprovidecopyable,culturallyrelevantalternatives.Byleveraging traditionalknowledge,greenentrepreneurship,andthepowerofcommunication,wecan maketheworldgreenerandcleanerforall.

In Nepali :

Sources

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): https://iucn.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/plastic-pollution-issues-brief-may2024-update.pdf

SAFE Food Advocacy Europe: https://www.safefoodadvocacy.eu/plastic-overshoot-day-2024-global-waste-crisis-surpasses-man agement-capacity/

UN Global Plastic Pollution Treaty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global plastic pollution treaty

Annapurna Express: https://theannapurnaexpress.com/story/46965

Friends of the Earth UK: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sustainable-living/plastic-periods-menstrual-products-and-plastic-poll ution

WHO Bulletin: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/bulletin/online-first/blt.24.291421.pdf

H2O Global News: https://h2oglobalnews.com/the-problem-with-periods-plastic-and-pollution/

MyRepublica: https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/an-eco-friendly-and-sustainableapproach-to-mens truation

OnlineKhabar: https://english.onlinekhabar.com/eco-sathi-nepal-startup.html

SCMP:

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3309791/green-menstruation-nepals-acti vists-tackle-pad-pollution-womens-health

PLASTICWASTEANDSMALL DEVELOPINGISLANDSTATES(SIDS)

The Cost of Plastic

Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent environmental crises of our time. Every year, approximately11milliontonnesofplasticwasteleak intothemarineenvironment(PewCharitableTrust &SYSTEMIQ).Plasticaccountsfor80%ofallmarine pollution,andatcurrentrates,by2050,plasticcould outweigh all the fish in the sea (UNESCO). Once created,plasticdoesn’tgoaway:virtually100%ofall plasticseverproducedstillexist,eitherinuseorin waste.Outofthe430millionmetrictonsofplastic the world produces annually, two-thirds are shortlivedproducts,destinedforimmediatedisposal.

Thisglobalcrisishasdevastatingconsequencesforecosystems,animals,andhumanhealth Marinewildlifesuffersimmensely.Plasticentanglesmarinemammalsandfish,restricting their movement and often leading to starvation or injury. Smaller plastic fragments are mistaken for food by seabirds and fish, which may result in suffocation or starvation Microplastics,invisibletothenakedeye,areespeciallydangerous.Theyareeasilyconsumed bymarineorganismsandaccumulatetoxinsthattravelupthefoodchain Humansarenot spared.Microplasticshavebeenfoundindrinkingwater,salt,andeventhesoilwherewe grow crops. Studies show they may disrupt the endocrine system, contributing to reproductive,neurological,andimmunedisorders,andmayalsoincreasecancerrisk The productionanddisposalofplasticfurthercontributetotheclimatecrisis,relyingheavilyon fossilfuelsandreleasinggreenhousegasesandtoxicchemicalsintotheatmosphere

Small Island Developing States: Least Responsible, Most Affected

AmongthemostseverelyimpactedbyplasticpollutionareSmallIslandDevelopingStates (SIDS). Despite contributing minimally to global plastic production, these nations face outsized environmental and economic consequences Many are located near ocean gyres, where marine currents naturally funnel plastic waste from around the world. Lacking sufficientinfrastructure,policyframeworks,andtechnologicalcapacity,SIDSareoftenillequippedtomanagethesheervolumeofplasticwashingashore

Thispollutionthreatenslivelihoods Marinelitterhasbecomeamajorfactorinthedeclineof local fisheries, which many coastal and indigenous communities depend on for food and income. In nations where tourism is the economic backbone, the degradation of pristine beacheshasseriousfinancialandculturalconsequences

Sir Max Tuana (Spain/USA)

Waste Colonialism: Shifting the Burden

To make matters worse, many wealthy nations export their plastic waste to poorer countries and island states, a practice known as waste colonialism. These exports often exceedtherecipientcountry'scapacitytoprocessthemsafely,shiftingtheburdenoftoxic wastewithoutresponsibility Ashighlightedina2022reportbytheGuariniCenter,SIDSare bothenvironmentalhotspotsandpoliticalblindspotsinglobalplasticpolicy.Despitebeing onthefrontlinesofthecrisis,theyarefrequentlyexcludedfromdecision-makingforums wheresolutionsarenegotiated.

Waste Colonialism: Shifting the Burden

Tomakemattersworse,manywealthynationsexporttheirplasticwastetopoorercountries and island states, a practice known as waste colonialism. These exports often exceed the recipient country's capacity to process them safely, shifting the burden of toxic waste withoutresponsibility.Ashighlightedina2022reportbytheGuariniCenter,SIDSareboth environmentalhotspotsandpoliticalblindspotsinglobalplasticpolicy Despitebeingonthe frontlines of the crisis, they are frequently excluded from decision-making forums where solutionsarenegotiated.

A Case Study: Fiji

Fijiisapowerfulexampleoftheplasticparadoxfacingmanyislandnations Accordingto Timemagazine,lessthanathirdofFiji’splasticwasteislocallyproduced.Yetthecountry must still bear the burden of disposing of it. The most common method of disposal is burning, which releases toxic dioxins into the environment; chemicals linked to cancer, infertility,anddevelopmentalimpairments.

Ironically,Fijialsoreliesonplastic-basedindustries.TheexportofFijiWater,packagedin plasticbottles,accountsfor20%ofthecountry’sexportsandcontributesaround3%ofits GDP Thousands of small fires lit across the islands daily are evidence that Fiji’s waste managementsystemisoverwhelmed,placingbothenvironmentalandpublichealthatrisk.

Youth at the Forefront of Change

Inthefaceofthesechallenges,youthacrossthePacificandbeyondaretakingaction.InFiji, thePacificOceanLitterYouthProject(POLYP)isengagingcommunitiesthroughapowerful combinationofscienceand“artivism.”Weeklylitterassessments,publiccleanups,anddatadriven brand audits have already removed over three tonnes of waste from the marine environment.

Acrosstheglobe,youth-ledeffortsarerising KristalAmbroseintheBahamaslaunchedthe Bahamas Plastic Movement, successfully advocating for a national plastic ban. In Tonga, Samoa, and the Maldives, grassroots cleanup initiatives and educational campaigns are empoweringthenextgenerationofenvironmentalstewards.

Butyouthshouldn'tbearthisburdenalone.Manyoftheseinitiativesoperatewithminimal fundingandinstitutionalsupport.Globalsolidarityisneedednowmorethanever.

Residus plàstics i els Petits Estats Insulars en Desenvolupament (PEID)

Lacontaminacioperplasticsesunadelescrisisambientalsmesurgentsdelnostretemps.Cadaany, aproximadament11milionsdetonesderesidusplasticss’escapencapalmedimarı(PewCharitable Trust&SYSTEMIQ) Elplasticrepresentael80%detotalacontaminaciomarinai,alritmeactual, peral2050,elplasticpodriapesarmesquetotselspeixosdelmar(UNESCO).Uncopcreat,elplastic nodesapareix:practicamentel100%detotelplasticques’haproduıtencaraexisteix,jasiguienuso comaresidu.Dels430milionsdetonesmetriquesdeplasticqueelmonprodueixanualment,dues tercerespartssonproductesdecurtadurada,destinatsaserrebutjatsimmediatament.

El cost del plàstic

Aquestacrisiglobalteconsequenciesdevastadoresperalsecosistemes,elsanimalsilasalut humana.Lafaunamarinapateixenormement.Elplasticenredamamıfersmarinsipeixos, limitant-ne el moviment i sovint provocant la fam o lesions. Fragments mes petits de plastic son confosos amb aliment per aus marines i peixos, fet que pot provocar asfıxia o inanicio. Els microplastics, invisibles a simple vista, son especialment perillosos. Son facilment ingerits per organismesmarinsiacumulentoxinesqueescalenperlacadenaalimentaria Ielshumanstampocen somexempts.S’hantrobatmicroplasticsal’aiguapotable,lasalifinsitotalaterraonconreem.Els estudis mostren que poden alterar el sistema endocrı, contribuint a trastorns reproductius, neurologicsiimmunitaris,itambepodenaugmentarelriscdecancer.Laproduccioieliminaciode plastic contribueixen, a mes, a la crisi climatica, depenent intensament dels combustibles fossils i alliberantgasosd’efectehivernacleisubstanciestoxiquesal’atmosfera

Petits Estats Insulars en Desenvolupament: els menys responsables, els més afectats EntreelsmesafectatsperlacontaminacioplasticahihaelsPetitsEstatsInsularsenDesenvolupament (PEID).Totiquecontribueixenmınimamentalaproducciomundialde plastic,aquestspaısospateixenconsequenciesambientalsieconomiquesdesproporcionades Moltses trobenpropdegirsoceanics,onlescorrentsmarinesacumulenelsresidusplasticsd’arreudelmon.

Senselainfraestructura,elsmarcspolıticsnilacapacitattecnologicasuficients,elsPEIDsovintno podengestionarelvolumimmensdeplasticquearribaalessevescostes.

Aquestacontaminacioamenaçaelsmitjansdevida Elsresidusmarinssonunadelescauses principalsdeldeclividelapescalocal,delaqualdepenenmoltescomunitatscostaneresi indıgenesperal’alimentacioielsingressos Ennacionsonelturismeeselpilareconomic,la degradaciodelesplatgesvergesteconsequenciesfinanceresiculturalsgreus.

Colonialisme dels residus: traslladar la càrrega Perempitjorarlasituacio,moltspaısosricsexportenelsseusresidusplasticsapaısospobresiestats insulars, una practica coneguda com a colonialisme dels residus Aquestes exportacions sovint superenlacapacitatdelspaısosreceptorspergestionar-lesdemanerasegura,traslladantlacarrega delsresidustoxicssenseassumirresponsabilitats.TalcomassenyalauninformedelGuariniCenterde 2022,elsPEIDsonalhorapuntscalentsambientalsipuntscecspolıticsenlespolıtiquesglobalssobre elplastic.Totiestaralaprimeralıniadelacrisi,sovintsonexclososdelsespaisdedecisioones negociensolucions

Estudi de cas: Fiji

Fijiesunexemplepoderosdelaparadoxaplasticaqueafrontenmoltesnacionsinsulars.Segons Timemagazine,menysd’unterçdelsresidusplasticsdeFijisonproduıtslocalment.Totiaixı,el paıshad’assumirlaresponsabilitatdegestionar-los.Elmetodemescomud’eliminacioesla crema,quealliberadioxinestoxiquesal’entorn,substanciesquımiquesvinculadesalcancer,la infertilitatitrastornsdeldesenvolupament

Ironicament,Fijitambedepend’industriesbasadesenelplastic.L’exportaciodeFijiWater, envasadaenampollesdeplastic,representael20%delesexportacionsdelpaısicontribueixal voltantdel3%delPIB Milersdepetitsfocsencesdiariamentalesillesevidencienqueel sistemadegestioderesidusdelpaısestadesbordat,posantenrisclasalutambientalipublica

La joventut al capdavant del canvi Davantaquestsdesafiaments,lajoventutdelPacıficid’arreudelmonestapassantal’accio.A Fiji,elprojectePacificOceanLitterYouthProject(POLYP)mobilitzacomunitatsmitjançant unacombinaciopotentdecienciaiartivisme Avaluacionssetmanalsderesidus,neteges publiquesiauditoriesdemarquesbasadesendadesjahanretiratmesdetrestonesdedeixalles delmedimarı.

Arreudelmon,elsesforçoslideratsperjovesestanenauge.KristalAmbrose,alesBahames,va crearelBahamasPlasticMovementivaaconseguirques’aprovesunaprohibicionacionaldel plastic ATonga,SamoailesMaldives,lesiniciativeslocalsdenetejailescampanyes educativesestanempoderantlanovageneraciodeguardiansambientals

Peroelsjovesnohauriendesuportarsolsaquestacarrega.Moltesd’aquestesiniciativesoperen ambrecursosmınimsiescassuportinstitucional Esnecessitaara,mesquemai,solidaritat global

Què podem fer?

Totil’abastdelacrisi,actualmentnohihacaptractatinternacionallegalmentvinculantdedicat especıficamentaabordarlacontaminacioperplastics.Aixohadecanviar.Hemde:

Donarsuportal’adopciod’untractatglobalfortilegalmentvinculantqueresponsabilitzi elsproductorsiposialcentrelesveusdelescomunitatsafectades,especialmentelsPEID

Exigirunatransiciojustallunydelsplasticsd’unsolus,nonomesalsnostrespaısossino aescalaglobal,especialmentenlesnacionsd’altingresonesprodueixlamajorpartdel plastic

Amplificarlesveusinsulars.Finançarelsmovimentsjuvenils.Portarelseulideratgeales plataformesglobals.Aquestescomunitatsnosonnomesvıctimes;sonsocisessencialsper crearsolucionsduradores.

Lacontaminacioperplasticnoesnomesunproblemaambiental Esunaquestiodejustıcia Sivolemcombatrelacontaminacioplastica,hemd’escoltaraquellsqueviuencadadiaambles sevesconsequenciesiactuarambells,noperells.

Bibliografía:

https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/plastic-pollution-ocean/

https://guarinicenterorg/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-05-30-Guarini-Issue-BriefSIDS-Global-Plastic-Pollution.pdf

https://time.com/6991350/plastic-microplastics-fiji-water-recycling/

https://wwwsciencedirectcom/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652623021765

https://wwwundporg/blog/plastic-soup-plastic-islands

https://newuniversity.org/2021/03/10/the-dark-secret-of-fiji-water/

https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/fiji-among-big-pacific-losers-under-trump-tariffs/

DigitalFutures,GreenFoundations: BridgingEducationandEnvironmentalResponsibilityinAfrica

Abstract

Thedigital transformation ofeducation inAfrica presents adual challenge: expanding access to technology while mitigating its environmental impact. Electronic waste (e-waste), energy consumption,andpollutionthreatentounderminethebenefitsof digital education if left unaddressed. This article, published in conjunction with the 2025 UNEP World Environment Day, examineshowsustainablepracticescanbeintegratedintodigital educationsystems.

FocusingontheDEAS(DigitalEducationasaService)modulebyComputerlabs Ghana,thisstudyhighlightsinnovativeapproachestoreducinge-wastethrough recycling,refurbishment,andrenewableenergysolutionsThearticleadvocatesfor policyreforms,youthengagement,andcorporateaccountabilitytoensurethat Africa’sdigitalrevolutionisbothinclusiveandenvironmentallysustainable.

Introduction

ThepushfordigitaleducationinAfricahasunlockednewopportunitiesforlearners, particularlyinunderservedcommunities.However,therapidadoptionofdigital technologieshasalsoledtoasurgeine-waste,energydemands,andenvironmental degradation.Ghana,forinstance,isoneofthelargestrecipientsofdiscarded electronics,withinformalrecyclingpracticesposingseverehealthandecological risks.

Astheworldunitesunderthe2025WorldEnvironmentDaytheme"Together,WeCan #BeatPlasticPollution"—itiscrucialtorecognizethatpollutionextendsbeyond plastics.E-wasteisanescalatingcrisis,withglobalvolumesexpectedtoreach74 millionmetrictonsby2030.ThisarticleexploreshowAfricacanpioneersustainable digitaleducationmodels,ensuringthattechnologicalprogressdoesnotcomeatthe expenseoftheplanet

LadyNicoleOdudu(Ghana)

The Case Study: DEAS Module by Computerlabs Ghana

Launchedin2025,theDEASmodulerepresentsagroundbreakingefforttoharmonizedigital educationwithenvironmentalstewardship.Theinitiativeisbuiltonthreecorestrategies:

Device Refurbishment and Recycling: Partnering with local e-waste collectors to repurposediscardedelectronicsforclassroomuse.

Energy-EfficientDevices:Utilizinglow-energydevicestominimizecarbonfootprints.

Community and Youth Engagement: Training programs for staff on sustainable tech practices.

Impact and Achievements

1,000+devicesrefurbished,diverting5metrictonsofe-wastefromlandfills.

30+lowenergycomputerlabsinstalled,cuttingenergyconsumption.

The DEAS module proves that digital education and environmental care are not mutually exclusive. By rethinking how we use technology, we can protect both our future and our planet"—Tyrone,Marhguy,FormerYouthAmbassador,ComputerlabsGhana.

The Escalating E-Waste Crisis

E-wasteisoneofthefastest-growingwastestreamsglobally,withdireconsequences: Health Risks: Informal recycling exposes workers to toxic substances like lead and mercury,leadingtorespiratorydiseasesandneurologicaldamage.

Environmental Damage: Heavy metals from e-waste contaminate soil and water, disruptingecosystemsandagriculture.

Economic Loss: Valuable materials like gold and copper are lost due to inefficient recycling,costingeconomiesbillionsannually.

TheDEASmodeldemonstratesthatsystemicsolutionsarepossible,butbroaderactionis neededtoaddresstherootcausesofe-wasteproliferation.

Scaling Local Solutions to Global Action

ToreplicatethesuccessofDEAS,thefollowingmeasuresareessential: Policy Reforms: Governments should enforce extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws,requiringmanufacturerstomanagethelifecycleoftheirproducts.Nationaldigital educationpoliciesmustincludemandatorye-wastemanagementprotocols.

·YouthLeadership:Supportyouth-ledinnovationhubstodeveloplocalizedsolutionsfor e-wasterecycling.

Integratesustainability intoSTEMcurricula toempowerthe nextgeneration ofgreen techleaders.

CorporateAccountability:Techcompaniesmustadopteco-designprinciples,producing longer-lasting,repairabledevices.

Incentivizebusinessestoinvestintake-backandrecyclingprograms.

These steps align with global efforts like the Global Plastics Treaty, which can serve as a blueprintforaddressinge-wastethroughinternationalcooperation.

Conclusion and Call to Action

TheDEASmoduleexemplifieshowAfricacanleadthewayinsustainabledigitaleducation. AsWorldEnvironmentDay2025callsforcollectiveactionto#BeatPlasticPollution,wemust expand the movement to include e-waste. The tools for change policy frameworks, youth innovation,andcorporateresponsibilityarewithinreach.

Thetimeforactionisnow.Letusbuildadigitalfuturethatisequitable,sustainable,and resilientforAfricaandtheworld.

References

1.UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme.(2023)GlobalE-wasteMonitor2023.UNEP.

2.WorldHealthOrganization.(2022).ChildrenandDigitalDumpsites:E-WasteExposureand ChildHealth.WHO.

3.ComputerlabsGhana.(2024).DEASModuleImpactReport.InternalPublication.

4.Ghana Ministry of Environment (2024). National E-Waste Management Strategy GovernmentofGhana.

Anigyina Digital Ne Nsase Ho Banbɔ: Sɛnea Yɛbɛbɔ Suapɔn Nneɛma Ne Nsase Ho Banbɔ Wɔ Afrika Mu Wɔkyerɛw

sɛ: Nicole Odudu Marekɛting Mpanimfoɔ, Computerlabs Ghana Ntotoho

Afrikamusuapɔnmunsakraeaɛkɔsowɔnteteeɛmunodensɛnnahɔmmienureba:sɛnea ɛbɛyɛankitahodiebɛdɔɔsowɔnteteeɛso,nesɛneaɛbɛyɛaɛrenyɛnsɛnnahɔwɔnsaseho.

Ebinom a wɔde guare nnadeɛ to hɔ (e-waste), mframa a nteteeɛ di no, ne aguamansɛm betumiafasuapɔnnsakraenomfasoso,sɛyennyihodwuma.Saakrataayiaɛyɛn’adewɔ 2025UNEPWiaseAfieDahono,hwehwɛsɛneayɛbɛtumideatitɔhobanbɔabomwɔnteteeɛ suapɔn mu. Ɛde Computerlabs Ghana DEAS (Digital Education as a Service) model bɛyɛɛ mfɛfohonsɛm,naɛdaakwanfoforɔawɔnamsotewe-wastesowɔntɔnkyɛre,sannsiesie,ne solar tumi so no adi. Krataa no frɛ nsakrae wɔ mmara ho, mma ho dwumadie, ne adwumayɛfoɔsuawɔnbraho,sɛneaɛbɛyɛaAfrikanteteeɛnsakraenobɛyɛkɛsenaɛrenyɛ nsakraewɔasaseso.

Nhyehyɛeɛ

NteteeɛsuapɔnaɛrebaAfrikamunoamaakwankyerɛfoforɔabueamasuapɔnfoɔ,titiriwwɔ mmerɛwakuraanemmeaeɛawɔnsonkitahodieyɛmmɔbɔ.Nansonteteeɛnneɛmaaɛrekɔso yiamae-wasteabɔmu,namframaaɛhiaabɔso.Ghana,sɛnhwɛso,yɛbaabiawɔdenteteeɛ nneɛmaawogyaaguarekɔhɔdodo.Nnɛnayɛdensaguneaɛrebanoho,sɛneaWiaseAfieDa 2025tema“MommoaYɛnhonaYɛnkosontiaPlastic”ka,ɛsɛsɛyɛkahosɛmfɛtɛwfoɔnkutoo nniho–e-wastensoyɛhawkɛsebi,nawɔhwɛsɛɛbɛkɔ74millionmetrictonsabɛdu2030 mu.

SaakrataayirekyerɛsɛneaAfrikabetumideatitɔhobanbɔabomwɔnteteeɛsuapɔnho, sɛneaɛbɛyɛayebetumianyanteteeɛnkɔsoaɛmpiraasaseno.

Nhwɛsoɔ Mu: DEAS Model a Computerlabs Ghana De Bɛbaeɛ WɔbueeDEASmodelnowɔafe2025mu,naɛyɛbiribifoforɔaɛrekyerɛsɛnteteeɛneasase hobanbɔbetumiabom.Nhyehyɛeɛnodansɔwsoɛmmiɛnsaso:

1.NnadeɛAWɔasanAyɛNneɛmaFoforɔ:Wɔyɛadwumanee-wasteboaboafoɔawɔwɔhade nteteeɛawɔagyaaguareyɛsuapɔnnneɛmabio.

2.Ntɛtea a ɛnnom mframa dodo: Wɔde ntɛtea a ɛnom mframa ketewa na ɛmma carbon mframamuntotohonsi.

3.MmaneNkɔmmɔWɔCommunityMu:Wɔmaadwumayɛfoɔsuasɛneaɛsɛsɛwɔyɛatitɔa ɛyɛpapawɔnteteeɛho.

Nsohwɛ Ne Ntoasoɔ

Nnadeɛ1,000+nawɔasanayɛ,naɛboaboae-waste5metrictonssonaɛmmaɛnkɔguare mu.

Nteteeɛlabs30+aɛdimframaketewanaɛyɛ,naɛtewmframaayɛdedidwumaso.

“DEAS model no da ho adanseɛ sɛ nteteeɛ suapɔn ne nsase ho banbɔ betumi abom. Sɛ yɛkyekyɛyɔnkosɛneayɛdenteteeɛyɛadwumano,yebetumiabɔyɛnhoneasasehobanbɔ.” —TyroneMarhguy,AbakanMmeranteɛBɔfoɔaatwam,ComputerlabsGhana

E-Waste A ƐRekɔ So Abɔ Mu

E-wasteyɛeguareaɛrebantɛmpaawɔwiase,naɔdensɛnnahɔbɛyɛden: ApɔwmudenMmerɛ:Sɛneawɔtee-wastenonkɔsono,ɛmankurɔfoyɛadwumanelead, mercurynenneɛmabɔnefoforɔaɛdentontoneadwenemhawba.

NsaseNeNsuoMmusuo:E-wastemunsasesikatesɛmercuryneleadbetumiakɔnsuo nefammu,naɛbɔabɔntenneagridwumadiehobanbɔ.

SikaYera:Sikanesikakeseɛ aɛwɔe-wastemutesɛsikakɔkɔɔnecopperyeraefisɛ wɔmpɛɛsoyɛɛsieaɛfata,naɔdeɔmanmusikakɛsetugu.

DEASmodelnodanoadisɛɛbɛtumiayɛadwuma,nansoyɛhiaakyɛdeaɛborosoaɛkɔewastemmaranoho.

Sɛnea Yɛbɛma Akwankyerɛ A ɛwɔ Mfinimfini Mu Akɔ Wiase Munsɛm So

SɛyɛpɛsɛDEASyiedienokɔsoa,yɛsɛe:

MmaraNsakrae:Amannommrasosɛneaɛbɛyɛanteteeɛnneɛmaadwumafoɔbeyiwɔn nneɛmaawɔtɔguaresobanbɔ(EPR).Nationalpolicybiaraaɛfanteteeɛhobɛdae-waste banbɔhonsɛmnoho.

MmeranteɛNteteeɛ:Mmoaadwumakuoammeranteɛkyerɛkyerɛho,nawɔnamsobɛyɛ e-wastebanbɔafidie.

MasustainabilitymmramuwɔSTEMkɔlejisukuuho,naɛbɛmaasenannomgreentech mpanimfoɔ.

AdwumayɛfoɔBanbɔ:Techkampaneɛnobɛsɛeeco-designhomfaso,sɛneaɛbɛyɛanea wɔyɛbɛtenaakyirikyiri,nawɔbɛtumiayɛbio.

Mmakampaneɛawɔbɛyɛadwumamu,yɛmmoanawɔmfakyɛwɔnawɔpɛsɛwɔgye nteteeɛnkyɛrenawɔsanyɛbio.

Nea ɛbɛyɛ na abɔ mu ne Global Plastics Treaty bi, a betumi ayɛ e-waste ho nsakrae ho afɔremuka.

Nwieeɛ Ne Frɛ Ma Nnɛ

DEASmodelnokyerɛsɛAfrikabetumiadianimwɔsustainabledigitalsuapɔnho.SɛWiase AfieDa2025frɛyɛnsɛyɛmmoayɛnhonayɛnkotiaplasticnsɛnnahɔno,ɛsɛsɛyɛdee-waste nsokaho.

Nneɛmaayɛdebɛyɛnsakrae–mmara,mmeranteɛadwumaneadwumayɛfoɔdwumadie–wɔyɛnnsamu.

Ɛyɛberesɛyɛyɛbiribi.Mayɛnsinteteeɛbaabiaɛyɛtrenee,ɔwɔbanbɔho,naɛwɔakyɛdema Afrikanewiase.

Nsɛntitiriw

UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme.(2023).GlobalE-wasteMonitor2023.UNEP.

WorldHealthOrganization.(2022).ChildrenandDigitalDumpsites:E-WasteExposure andChildHealth.WHO

ComputerlabsGhana.(2024).DEASModuleImpactReport.InternalPublication.

Ghana Ministry of Environment. (2024). National E-Waste Management Strategy. GovernmentofGhana.

TheNo-PlasticHandshake: Taiwan’sDevelopmentinaCircularEconomy

In 1950, the worldwide production of plastics was measuredtobeonlytwometrictons.Thoughaseemingly large amount to the untrained observer, it is, by far, the smallestnumberofplasticsproducedinthepast70years. By2016,plasticproductionhadwellsurpassedthethreedigitmark,weighinginat311metrictons Yetthatisnot whereitstops,asitispredictedthatin2050,1.1billion

1.1 billion tons of plastic will be produced globally.[1] However, even in light of these shockingstatistics,thequestionthatremainsisnothowmuchplasticwillbeproduced,but whatwillhappentoit?Plasticwasteisnotsomethingthatsimplydisappears,degrading into the earth. It lingers and festers. In fact, of the 7 billion tons of plastic waste accumulatedin2015,only“9%wasrecycled,12%incinerated,andtheremaining79% landfilled or discarded backto the environment.”[2]Itis because of this inefficiency in recycling and reusing plastics that its pollution of the environment has become a significant concern, especially in light of the fact that discarded plastic can fragment Plasticcanbreakoffintosmallerpiecesrangingfromfivemillimeters(microplastics)to evensmallerthanonenanometer(nano-plastics) Thesesmallerpiecesthenposeathreat towildlifewhichcouldpotentiallyingest,suffocate,orbeentangledinit.[3]

Yet,notallhopeislost.Effortsonboththeindividualandglobalscalehavebeen madeinordertodecreasethenumberofplasticswasted Reusablewaterbottles,cutlery, andpaperstrawsarejustafewofthesmallsolutionsindividualsaroundtheworldhave beguntoimplement.Ontheinternationalstage,in2015,theUnitedNationsannouncedthe 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of which number 12 dedicates itself to responsibleproductionandconsumption.[4]

[1]Lai,Ying-Ying,andYuh-MingLee "ManagementstrategyofplasticwastesinTaiwan"SustainableEnvironment Research32.1(2022):1.

[2]AscitedinIbid

[3] “Impacts of Plastic Pollution” US Environmental Protection Agency 15 May 2025 https://wwwepagov/plastics/impacts-plastic-pollution

[4]“The17Goals”TheUnitedNations Accessed29May2025 https://sdgsunorg/goals

[5]Lai,Ying-Ying,andYuh-MingLee "ManagementstrategyofplasticwastesinTaiwan"(2022):2

Lady Vivian Costello (USA)

Yet, despite this, nearly ten years later, plastic pollution continues to be one of the greatestconcernsfortheenvironment.Oneofthereasonsforthiscontinuedsituation is economic development. To continue in the linear economy “take, make use, dispose”[1] of utilizing plastics and other environmental pollutants to develop a stateeconomyisatriedandtestedmethod,thepathofleastresistance Itishowmany so-calleddevelopedcountriesbecameso.Tochangethatpathwouldrequireagreat deal[1]Lai,Ying-Ying,andYuh-MingLee "Managementstrategyofplasticwastesin Taiwan."(2022):2.oftimeandeffortthatwouldleaddevelopingeconomiestobecome trailblazers It is no easy feat, but it is possible, as is demonstrated in the case of Taiwan.Havingoncebeennicknamed‘GarbageIsland,’Taiwanhasrisentotheoccasion anddevelopedoneoftheworld’s“mostefficientrecyclingprograms,claiming55%of trash collected from households and commerce, as well as 77% of industrial waste [with more than] 1,600 recycling companies in operation, bringing in some US$2 billioninannualrevenues[asof2015].”[1]However,beforedelvingintothespecificsof howeconomicdevelopmentcanstillbeachievedinthefaceofanon-lineareconomy, theestablishmentofanon-lineareconomymustbeexamined.

Since 1997, Taiwan has dedicated itself to following global trends and achieving environmental and resource sustainability, creating a roadmap of sorts that can be brokenupintotwophases.PhaseI(1997-2018)wasaimedatreducingthegeneration of plastic waste, while Phase II (2019-present) incorporates the “5+2” plan, which solidified Taiwan’s commitment to environmental sustainability through the implementationofacirculareconomy,thesolutiontotheissueofalineareconomyFor whilealineareconomyisbasedonasystemof“take,makeuse,dispose,”acircular economy is established on the 6-R concept: “reduce, remanufacture, reuse, recover, recycle,andredesign,”thus“emphasiz[ing]theeliminationofwastesandrepetitiveuse ofresources.”[2]Thefollowingdiscussesthedetailsofeachphase.

PhaseIofTaiwan’splanhadthreeparts:1.recyclingplasticcontainers;2.reducingthe useofplasticshoppingbags;and3.restrictingtheuseofplasticcutlery.Incentivesfor individuals to actively be mindful in how they used plastics included “communitybased source separations, municipal collections, private recycling companies, and government-subsidizedcashincentives”providedtobusinessesthatgavediscountsto those customers that brought their own bags and/or cutlery.[1] In 2005, the plan advancedtoincludetheseparationofwastebeforecollectionbythecity.Itwas,onthe whole,asuccess,withthenumberofrecycledaluminumandpapercontainers,paper cutlery,andbio-basedplasticsincreasingsignificantly.

[6]Rossi,Marcello “HowTaiwanhasAchievedOneoftheHighestRecyclingRatesintheWorld”Smithsonian Magazine 3 January 2019 https://wwwsmithsonianmagcom/innovation/how-taiwan-has-achieved-onehighest-recycling-rates-world-180971150/

[7]AscitedinLai,Ying-Ying,andYuh-MingLee "ManagementstrategyofplasticwastesinTaiwan"(2022):3 [8]Ibid

PhaseIIoftheroadmapbuiltonthesuccessesofreducingsocietaluseofplasticsand implemented plans to shift attention to industries. Nicknamed the “5+2 innovative industriesplan,”PhaseIIdealtwith“intelligentmachinery,AsiaSiliconValley,green energy,biomedicine,nationaldefenseandaerospace,newagricultureandthecircular economy, ”creatinggreendesignsinbottles;sourcereductioninonlinefoodservices thatallowedforsingle-useplasticstobedroppedoffacertainlocations,cleaned, sanitized, and reused at restaurants that delivered food; and shopping bags that operatedinthesamewayasthefoodcontainers[1]Insum,PhaseII,whichisstillin progresstoday,focusesonthecirculationofplasticsandregeneration.Itisthroughthis second phase, which centers more on the industrial than the first, that Taiwan has continuedtodevelopitsstateeconomywithuseofthecirculareconomy.

Intheirarticle,“Supportingacirculareconomy:InsightsfromTaiwan'splasticwaste sectorandlessonsfordevelopingcountries,”Ching-YanWu,Mei-ChihHu,andFu-Chuan NiproposethatTaiwanhas“developeditsplasticwasteindustryintoanindustriallevel circular economy by leveraging a network-based collective bricolage in conjunction with a framework of adaptive institutional governance.”[2] In essence, Taiwanhasadoptedastratagemofsimultaneouslyadjustingitsdomesticgovernment, imposingstrictgreenmanufacturingstandardswhichaffectstheinternationalaswell, asTaiwandoesnothavemanydomesticresourcesandmusttradeinternationallyand incentivizingtheindustrynetworktomakedealswitheachotherthatencouragethe advancementandsharingofplasticusesolutions Oneindividualwasevenquotedas saying:

“IamafoamproducerandoriginallyknewnothingabouttherecyclingsectoruntilI metMr.TsaiatadinnerheldbytheTaiwanFurnitureManufacturers’Association.Heis doingwastecollection…hetoldmewecanbecomeupstreamanddownstreampartners orsetupajointventuretogetherifIcanextrudeandcutwasteplastics….”[3]

Thus,throughthisnetwork,andthesimultaneousutilizationofgovernancethatraises thestandardsofproductionbothdomesticallyandinternationally,Taiwanhasallowed fortheadvancementofitsindustryanddevelopmentofitsstateeconomyeventhrough acirculareconomy.Thisisnottosaythatthisprocessiswithoutitscomplications,and eachindustryapproachestheemploymentofacirculareconomydifferently.However, itdoesdemonstratethatitispossibleforeconomicdevelopmenttooccur.

[9]Ibid,pg 6-7

[10] Wu, Ching-Yan, Mei-Chih Hu, and Fu-Chuan Ni. "Supporting a circular economy: Insights from Taiwan's plastic waste sector and lessons for developing countries." Sustainable production and consumption26(2021):228-238.

[11]Ibid,pg 236

In conclusion, though it is a largely unpaved path, the concern that economic development may not be entirely feasible through the employment of a non-linear economy,thatreducestheuseofplasticsandthusitspollutionoftheenvironment,is negligible.Itispossibleforsuchdevelopmenttooccurusingcirculareconomy,aswas demonstrated in the case of Taiwan This is, however, a new plan, and should be monitored for changes so as to be noted what can be improved upon as it may be replicatedelsewhere

Bibliography

Lai,Ying-Ying,andYuh-MingLee "Managementstrategyofplasticwastesin Taiwan."SustainableEnvironmentResearch32.1(2022).

“ImpactsofPlasticPollution.”U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.15May2025. https://wwwepagov/plastics/impacts-plastic-pollution

Rossi,Marcello “HowTaiwanhasAchievedOneoftheHighestRecyclingRatesinthe World.”SmithsonianMagazine.3January2019. https://wwwsmithsonianmagcom/innovation/how-taiwan-has-achieved-onehighestrecycling-rates-world-180971150/.

“The17Goals.”TheUnitedNations.Accessed29May2025.https://sdgs.un.org/goals.

Wu, Ching-Yan, Mei-Chih Hu, and Fu-Chuan Ni. "Supporting a circular economy: Insights from Taiwan's plastic waste sector and lessons for developing countries" Sustainableproductionandconsumption26(2021):228-238.

⽆塑料握⼿： 台湾的循环经济发展 ⾔曦韵

1950 年时，全球塑料产量只有 2 公吨。 对于未专业者⽽⾔，此数量固然极为⼤量，不过到⽬ 前为⽌，是过去 70 年来的⽣产塑料数量最少的。到 2016 年，塑料产量已超过三位数， 共有 311 公吨。然⽽，这并不是⽌步的位置，因为专业者预测，2050 年时，全球将⽣产 11 亿吨塑 料。[1] 不过，剩下的问题并不是塑料的⽣产率多少，⽽是使⽤塑料之后，发⽣何事？塑料垃圾 不是简单地消失的、不会在地球上降解，⽽它溃烂。事实上， 在2015 年的塑料垃圾之中，只有 「9% 被回收，12% 被焚烧，其余 79% 被填埋或丢弃回环境中。」[2] 正是由于塑料回收与再利 ⽤效率低下，环境的污染成为全球重⼤问题之 ，尤其是因为塑料会碎裂的事实。塑料可以分解 成更⼩的碎⽚，从 5 毫⽶（微塑料）到⼩于 1 纳⽶（纳⽶塑料）不等。这些较⼩的碎⽚对野⽣动 物有害，它们可能会吞⻝、窒息或被缠住。[3] 然⽽，并⾮所有的希望都消失了。为了减少塑料浪费，个⼈与全球都努⼒。个⼈可以使⽤环 保⽔瓶、餐具与纸吸管只是来让塑料垃圾变少。在国际舞台上，2015 年时，联合国宣布了 17 个 新的可持续发展⽬标 ，其中第12 个⽬标致⼒于负责任的⽣产与消费。[4] 然⽽，尽管如此，近⼗年后，塑料污染仍然是环境最令⼈担忧的问题之 。为解决问题的原因之 在于经济发展的过程。发展中的国家所利⽤的经济发展过程叫做线性经济，意思是「获取、利 ⽤、处置」，⽽是 种久经考验的⽅法。[1] 此外，这是所谓的发达的国家所利⽤⽅法来变成发达 的国家。为了改变这个过程，需要许多时间及功夫，且要求正在发展的国家成为开拓者。这并不 是 件容易做的，但是可能的，举例来说台湾的情况。台湾曾被叫做「垃圾岛」但现在已经迎难 ⽽上，制定了世界上「最⾼效的回收计划之⼀，家庭与商业的垃圾收集率有 55%，⼯业废料的

收集率有77%， [台湾也有]1,600 多家回收公司，[结果是2015年时 共公司]带来了约 20 亿美 元的年收⼊。[2] 这都在循环经济的环境之下，⽽且台湾仍然能让国家的经济发展。但考虑如何

达到此情况之前，必须研究台湾如何从线性经济赚到循环经济的过程。

⾃ 1997 年以来，台湾 直致⼒的追求实现环境与资源的可持续性，并制定了可分为两个阶

段的路线图。第 阶段（1997年到2018 年）旨在减少塑料垃圾的产⽣，⽽第⼆阶段（2019 年⾄ 今）纳⼊所谓的「5+2」计划，通过实施循环经济巩固了台湾对环境可持续性的承诺。由于线性 经济基于「获取、利⽤、处置」的系统，⽽循环经济则建⽴在英⽂的6-R 概念之上：翻译是「减 少、再制造、再利⽤、回收、再循环与重新设计，」从⽽「强除废物与重复使⽤资源。」[3] 下⾯ 讨论每个阶段的详细信息。

台湾计划第 阶段分为三个部分：1. 回收塑料容器；2. 减少使⽤塑料袋；与3.限制使⽤塑料 餐具。为了⿎励个⼈使⽤环保的东西，台湾成⽴了「基于社区的源头分类、市政收集

私⼈回收公司与政府补贴的现⾦奖励，」这些企业为⾃带袋⼦或餐具的客⼾提供折扣。[1] 在2005 年时，此计划包括城市收集

[1] Lai, Ying-Ying, and Yuh-Ming Lee. "Management strategy of plastic wastes in Taiwan." Sustainable Environment Research 32.1 (2022): 1.

[2] 引⽤在同上。

[3] “Impacts of Plastic Pollution” U S Environmental Protection Agency 15 May 2025 https://wwwepa gov/plastics/impacts-plastic-pollution

[4] “The 17 Goals” The United Nations Accessed 29 May 2025 https://sdgs un org/goals

许在提供⻝品的餐厅将 次 性塑料从特定地点投放、清洁、消毒和重复使⽤

以及在⻝品容器上使⽤相同的⽅式作 的购物袋。[1] 总之，第⼆阶段侧重于塑料的循环和再⽣。正是通过第⼆阶段台湾继续利 ⽤循环经济发展国家经济。

在他们的⽂章《⽀持循环经济：台湾塑料垃圾⾏业的⻅解和发展中国家的经验教训》 中，Ching-YanWu、Mei-Chih 胡 和 Fu-ChuanNi 提出台湾已经「通过利⽤基于⼈脉的集 体拼凑与适应性机构治理框架，将其塑料垃圾⾏业发展成为⼯业级循环经济。」[2] 换句 话说，台湾采取了 种策略，在 ⽅⾯台湾调整其国内政府，实施严格的绿⾊制

的经济发

仍然是可能的。 总之，虽然这是⼀条基本上未铺砌的道路，但那个通过采⽤⾮线性经济可能⽆法完

全实现经济发展的担⼼是渺⼩的。国家的经济发展仍然通过循环经济来实现，就像台湾 的例⼦ 样。然⽽，这是 个新的计划，应该监控变化，以便注意到可以改变的地⽅， 考虑到它能哪 ⽅进步。

[5]Lai、Ying-Ying 和 Yuh-MingLee。 “台湾塑料废弃物管理策略。”(2022):2

[6]Rossi,Marcello “HowTaiwanhasAchievedOneoftheHighestRecyclingRatesintheWorld”Smithsonian Magazine 3 January 2019 https://wwwsmithsonianmagcom/innovation/how-taiwan-has-achieved-onehighest-recycling-rates-world-180971150/

[7] 引⽤在 Lai,Ying-Ying,andYuh-MingLee "ManagementstrategyofplasticwastesinTaiwan"(2022):3

[8]Lai,Ying-Ying,andYuh-MingLee "ManagementstrategyofplasticwastesinTaiwan"(2022):3

[9] 同上，第 6-7 ⻚。

[10]Wu,Ching-Yan,Mei-ChihHu,andFu-ChuanNi "Supportingacirculareconomy:InsightsfromTaiwan's plastic waste sector and lessons for developing countries" Sustainable production and consumption 26 (2021):228-238.

[11]Wu,Ching-Yan,Mei-ChihHu,andFu-ChuanNi."Supportingacirculareconomy:InsightsfromTaiwan's plasticwastesectorandlessonsfordevelopingcountries." 第 236 ⻚。

Lai, Ying-Ying, and Yuh-Ming Lee "Management strategy of plastic wastes in Taiwan" SustainableEnvironmentResearch32.1(2022).

“ImpactsofPlasticPollution.”U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.15May2025. https://www.epa.gov/plastics/impacts-plastic-pollution

Rossi, Marcello. “How Taiwan has Achieved One of the Highest Recycling Rates in the World”SmithsonianMagazine 3January2019

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-taiwan-has-achieved-one-highestrecycling-rates-world-180971150/.

“The17Goals.”TheUnitedNations.Accessed29May2025.https://sdgs.un.org/goals.

Wu,Ching-Yan,Mei-ChihHu,andFu-ChuanNi."Supportingacirculareconomy:Insights from Taiwan's plastic waste sector and lessons for developing countries." Sustainable productionandconsumption26(2021):228-238.

CONTRIBUTORSBIOGRAPHY

DR.ARIELROSITAKING,MPH,MBA,PHD (UK),DTM&H,PHD(FRANCE) FounderandPresidentAriel FoundationInternational&Dr.King Solutions

"Empowermentisnotaboutgivingpower,butaboutreleasingthe powertheyalreadyhave."ThisquoteembodiesthespiritofDr.Ariel King's work in fostering empowerment and creating opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive Dr King's dedication to empoweringchildrenandyouth,fosteringtheiractiveinvolvement in international decision-making processes, has garnered widespreadrecognitionandacclaim.

As the Founder and President of Ariel Foundation International (wwwarielfoundationorg ), a non-profit organization founded in 2002, holding special consultative ECOSOC Status with the United Nations(2016)andNGOStatusattheEuropeanParliament(2015). RegisteredintheUSA,France,Switzerland,andGhana.Dr.Kinghas madeasignificantimpactonthelivesofyouthacross30+countries. With a focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, and community service,AFIhasimpactedapproximately150,000youngindividuals Notably, AFI made history by accrediting children and youth as official Delegates to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Through her foundation, Dr. King has promoted partnerships, peace, and prosperity through entrepreneurship and education

Dr ArielRositaKingisanaccomplishedindividualwithanextensivebackgroundininternationalhealth, publichealthpolicy,andinternationalmanagement.Withover35yearsof experienceingovernment, diplomacy, business, and NGOs, she has worked and lived in 11 countries and travelled to over 65 countriesacrossAsia,Africa,Americas,MiddleEast,andEurope AsaProfessorinInternationalHealth, Management, Policy, and Environment, she has shared her knowledge and expertise at various universitiesintheUSA,Europe,andAfrica

Dr.King'scontributionsextendbeyondherworkwithArielFoundationinternational.Shewaschosento beontheExpertAIDSPreventionworkingGroupwiththeBillandMelindaGatesFoundation(USA)and theHumanScienceResearchCouncil(SouthAfrica).Additionally,In2000,Dr.KingestablishedAriel Consulting International, Inc, now known as Dr King Solutions ( wwwdrkingsolutionscom ) , a company focused on enhancing Public-Private Partnerships in international health, policy, and management specifically in developing countries. Her commitment to promoting collaboration and sustainable development has led to the successful implementation of strategic planning initiatives, workshops,coaching,andkeynotespeechesaimedatempoweringindividualsandorganizations.

Notably, Dr. King is a strong advocate for professional development. Her offerings include comprehensive training programs such as Strategic Planning for International Business Development, Public-Private Partnerships,EuropeanandAfricanUniversityDegreeswithoutdebt,IvyLeagueTrainingwithoutdebt,and guidanceonstartingnot-for-profitorganizationsandinternationalbusinesses

Dr King'sdedicationtopromotingpositivechangeonaglobalscalehasalsoledhertoengagewithvarious internationalorganizations SheassistsbusinessesinobtainingSpecialECOSOCStatuswiththeUnitedNations, promotesallianceswithintheinternationalNGOarena,andencouragesbusinessengagementswithNGOsand Community-BasedOrganizations.

Beyond her remarkable achievements, Dr. King remains committed to environmental sustainability Throughherlatestventure,DrKingSolutions,sheprovideseco-friendlybags thatcombatplasticpollution.Everypurchasecontributestothefightagainstplasticpollution and supports the Ariel Foundation International's vital work in children and youth developmentthroughresearchandenvironmentalclimateservices.

Dr King'scommitmenttoadvocatingforChildren'sHumanRightsworldwideledhertoestablishtheArianaLeilaniChildren'sFoundationInternationalin2008.Byfoundingthisorganization,sheaimedtoeducateand advocatefortherightsofchildrenglobally,emphasizingtheimportanceoftheirwell-being.

AtestamenttoDr King'simpactishermostrecentwork,thebooktitled'HumanityUnveiled'Thisprofoundand enlighteningjourneyinvitesleadersandseekersbeyondtheordinary,guidingthemtouncovertheessenceof humanityanditstransformativepowerinshapingamorecompassionateworld Throughintimateencounters withluminariessuchasDr.MayaAngelou,Dr.NinaSimone,PresidentNelsonMandela,andDr.ElisabethKublerRoss,Dr.Kingweavesarichfabricofinsightandenlightenment.Theseencountersserveaspoignantlessons, revealingtheprofoundimpacteachhumanconnectioncanhaveonourcollectiveunderstandingofwhatittruly meanstobehuman

'HumanityUnveiled'isnotmerelyabook;itisatransformativejourneythatcallsuponleadersanddreamersto embracetheirhumanityandcontributetotheevolutiontowardsamorecompassionateandconnectedworld. Dr.ArielKing'sprofoundinsightsresonatewithreaders,sparkingarenewedsenseofpurposeandaprofound appreciationforthehumanexperience

Dr King'sinfluenceextendsbeyondherfoundationandbook Shehasservedasarepresentativeforvarious non-governmentalorganizations(NGOs)attheUnitedNationsinGeneva,Vienna,andNewYork.Shehasalso beenanactivememberoforganizationssuchasWomenImpactingPublicPolicy(WIPP),theWomen'sForeign PolicyGroup(WFPG),andvariousInternationalRotaryClubs

Inconclusion,Dr ArielKing'slifetimecommitmenttoempoweringchildrenandyouth,promotinginternational health, advocating for Children's Human Rights, and fostering public-private partnerships has made a remarkableimpactoncommunitiesworldwide.Herleadership,expertise,anddedicationtomakingadifference positionherasaninfluentialwomandeservingofrecognition.Dr.ArielKingisatruechampionandinspiration, embodyingthespiritofempowermentandthepursuitofamorecompassionateworld HerFavoritequoteby Hillel, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, then when?" reflects her belief in taking action and bearing personal responsibility. She has embraced the missing piece in this quote, realizing the importance of asking, "If not me, then who?" Through her remarkable journey, she has become a beacon of hope and inspiration, shining light on the power of empowermentandthesignificanceofmakingadifferenceinthelivesofothers

Moses Ekwere, a distinguished ChangeMaker, Environmentalist, and Children & Youth Advocate, leverages over 5 years of profound experienceaddressingmultifaceteddevelopment issues Hailing from Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria, MosesiscurrentlytheExecutivePersonalAideto Dr Ariel King, CEO of Dr King Solutions and Founder/President of Ariel Foundation International(AFI).Inhisroleasthepermanent representative of AFI to the United Nations in Geneva,hedemonstratesacommitmenttoglobal impact Moses holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from the UniversityofCapeCoastinGhana,aligninghis

mission with the United Nations’ SDGs 4, 5, 13, and 17, aiming to reform societies and safeguardtheenvironmentthrougheducationandadvocacy.AstheCountryDirectorofAriel Foundation International Ghana, Moses Ekwere leads a 100-person youth delegation in impactful initiatives. Notably, under his leadership, a significant cleanup operation was conducted at the Korle Lagoon Beach in Jamestown, Greater Accra, aligning with Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) This endeavor brought together volunteers, local groups, and Ecozoil Ltd, demonstrating a strong commitment to ecological stewardship and societal involvement

MosesEkwereisdedicatedtoinstillingvaluesofaccountabilityandecologicalawarenessin young people, fostering a cleaner, healthier environment for all. Passionate about sustainability, he collaborates with the Greenway International Foundation Inc., a UNaccreditedenvironmentalorganization, toraiseawarenessofclimatecalamity'simpacton mental health and promote environmental diversity.Through impactful training programs and initiatives like anti-plastic movements, Moses actively contributes to mitigating environmental concerns, including eliminating over 1.2 million plastic straws in Accra, Ghana.

Drivenbyavisionforcleanenergyandgreenhousegasreduction,Mosesleadsthe“Rootsof Resilience”project,focusingonplanting1millionfruittreesacrossNigeriaandestablishing botanicalgardensinschoolsforeducationalandclimatesensitizationpurposes.Partnering withtheWAAWFoundation,thisinitiativealsoincludesbasiccomputertrainingtoenhance STEMeducationandenvironmentalliteracy

Inhisinternationalstudentleadershiprole,MosesservedastheSecretaryGeneralofNANS Ghanafrom2019to2020,championinggenderequality,peacediplomacy,andcommunity development outreach. As a proud member of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Moses Ekwere's unwavering dedication and visionary leadership contribute significantly to the globalpursuitofpositivechange

Sir Moses Ekwere Country Director, Ariel Foundation Int’l Ghana & Nigeria

A youth trainer and advocate for environmental and human rights based in Amman, Jordan. She works at the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies, where she leads civic engagement programs focusing on youth leadership, inclusive participation, and environmental action Amal is committed to supporting young people in building awareness, challenging injustice, and becoming active citizens. Her work centers on empowering marginalized groups, especially persons with disabilities and youth, through education, advocacy, and community-led initiatives. She believes that meaningful change begins with action on the ground and that young people play a critical role in driving that change. With a background in digital advocacy, civic training, and human rights education, Amal combines practical tools, storytelling, and inclusive practices to promote a more just and sustainable society.

Lady Amal Shamoun (Jordan)

I am Hamisha Rijal, a media and communication professional from Nepal, pursuing my Master's degreeinGlobalCommunicationinGermany.Ihave been working as well as studying in Nepal, Russia, andGermanyandhaveabackgroundinstorytelling, culturalresearch,andyouthengagement.Ipossessa Bachelor'sdegreeinMediaCommunicationsfromthe Moscow Higher School of Economics, and my research areas of focus are collective memory, cultural identity, popular culture, and the employmentofmediainframingyouthnarrativesin SouthAsia.

epal)

I co-founded Plurals, a students' initiative that deals with political discussion, intercultural conversation, and youth publishing at the University of Erfurt. Throughtheorganization,Ihelporganizeevents,anddevelopspacesforcritical debate.Myoverallworkinmediaisconductingresearch,digitalstorytelling,and community-based activities aimed at promoting representation and social transformation.

I believe environmental activism can be perceived as an issue of human experience and culture. We must retain memory, traditional and experiential knowledgeofclimateimpactstodeviseequitableandsustainablesolutions.

Throughthissummit,Ihopetomakeacontributionbasedonmyinterdisciplinary knowledge while I learn from a worldwide network of young activists fighting environmentalandsocialjustice.

MaxTuanaisadocumentaryfilmmaker,multi-mediaproducer,andlinguistwitha keeninterestininternationalpublicserviceaswellaslanguagerights Maxholdsa Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Film from Middlebury College and is particularlycuriousaboutethnicconflictandhuman-centeredstories.

His2022film,Tongue-Tied,explorestheintricateethno-linguistictensionspresentin Catalonia,combininginterviewswithpoliticalleaders,protestfootage,andoriginal research.In2024,Maxdirectedandproduced,AmazingGrace,adocumentaryabouta janitorandrecoveringalcoholicwhoquithisjobandmovedtoUtahtopursuehis passionformountainbiking Astheproducer,hespearheadasuccessfulinternational fundraisingcampaignandunderstandstheimportanceofeffectivecommunication.

Maxhaslivedandworkedindiversesettingsworldwideandisfluentinfivelanguages (English,French,Spanish,CatalanandItalian).Heisdrawntoworkingwithdiverse, talentedindividualstotackletheworld’smostpressingchallengesatahumanlevel He is eager to contribute his skills in political analysis, media production, project managementandcross-culturalcommunicationtoadvanceinternationalcooperation whileachievingtheUN’sSustainableDevelopmentGoals

Sir Max Tuana (Spain/USA)

NicoleOduduisaseasonedmarketinganddigitalmediaprofessionalwithaproventrack record of driving impact across education, technology, environmental, and social sectors. Currently serving as Marketing Manager at Computerlabs Ghana, Nicole leverages her expertiseinstrategicmarketing,teamleadership,andpartnershipstopropelorganizational growthandtransitionschoolsinGhanatodigitalbasededucation

Priortohercurrentrole,NicoleatDevelopersinVogue,empoweredyoungwomeninGhana throughtechinitiativesasMediaandCommunityManager,conceptualizingandexecuting events, webinars, seminars, podcasts, and content creation projects that fostered digital inclusion and skills development She managed a community of over a 1000 women and spearheaded trainings across various campuses in Ghana. Through her work, Nicole has hosted esteemed women leaders in tech from across Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon,EastAfrica,andbeyond,fosteringknowledgesharingandcollaboration

AsProjectSupervisoratGreenwayInternational,Nicolesupervisedenvironmentalprojects, promoted eco-friendly products, and drove sustainable practices, further solidifying her commitmenttosocialandenvironmentalimpact.

Throughout her career, Nicole has worked with various social impact organizations, consistentlymakingadifferenceinthelivesofindividualsandcommunities AstheFounder of Srean Branding & Media Services, Nicole extends her expertise to individuals and organizations,craftinginnovativebranding,design,anddigitalsolutionsthatelevatebrand presenceanddriveengagement

With a passion for harnessing the power of marketing, media and technology to drive positivechange,NicoleOduducontinuestoinspireandempowerothersthroughherwork, leavingalastingimpactonthecommunitiessheserves

Lady Nicole Odudu (Ghana)

Vivian Costello is a second-year master’s student at Indiana University pursuing her degree in International Studies. Her research focuses on the effectsofideologyoneconomicdevelopmentinEast Asia, but she is also interested in foreign policy and international development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in both International Studies and Mandarin Chinese through the Chinese Flagship Program at IndianaUniversity

WhilepursuingherBachelor’s,Costelloconnectednumerousundergraduatestudentsfrom acrosstheUnitedStatesandChinaandaidedinpublishingtheirresearchwiththeaimof furthering US-China relations through her work as a Communications Officer for the Intercollegiate U.S.-China Journal (IUCJ). As an undergraduate student-led publication, Costello collaborated with a team of young professionals to establish and maintain the journal’s social media pages and outreach, expanding its scope to include tens of universitiesacrossboththeU.S.andChinaandhundredsofstudents.

As a graduate student, Costello was awarded a fellowship with the Tobias Center for Innovation and International Development where she attended monthly meetings with like-minded students and guest speakers whose careers ranged from work with selfstarted non-governmental organizations to the United States Agency for International Development to research professorships During her time with the center, Costello attendedaworkshopforadvancinglocalizationandMERLagendasaswellastheWorld BankandIMFWeekinWashington,D.C.ShefurtherattendedtheAmerica’sRoleinthe World conference hosted annually by Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School for GlobalandInternationalStudies(HLS).

Currently,CostelloholdsthepositionofaLessCommonlyTaughtLanguageCoordinatorfor IndianaUniversity’sCenterforLatinAmericanandCaribbeanStudieswhereshehasaided in organizing and hosting the ninth annual Quechua Alliance conference Additionally, Costello works as a Graduate Student Coordinator for HLS, which focuses on building graduatestudentcommunityandopportunitiesintheschool Sheandhercolleagueshave collaboratedtohostthebimonthlyHLSGraduateStudentSymposiumwherestudentscan sharetheirresearchwithanaudienceofdiversebackgroundsandinterests.Sheisalso workingtobeginastudent-ledpublicationforgraduatestudentstopublishallmannerof policywritingsandresearchfindings.

This summer, Costello is working as an associate of the Ariel Foundation International, whereshehasrecentlystartedapodcastseriesentitled“TheBusinessofLifewithDr.King: HostedbyVivianCostello”

LadyVivianCostello(USA)

We are all in this together

Message from the Executive Director

Last year brought both successes and disappointments in global efforts to tackle the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change; the crisis of nature and biodiversity loss and desertification; and the crisis of pollution and waste

At the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, nations agreed to formally recognize and expand the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in saving biodiversity and to operationalize a mechanism to share benefits from digital genetic information – but issues around resource mobilization and a monitoring framework were carried over to the resumed session to be held in February 2025 At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, nations agreed on international carbon market standards and promised to triple the amount of financing for developing nations hit by climate change – but this commitment fell short of what many countries had called for

In Busan, Republic of Korea, nations made substantial progress towards a global instrument to end plastic pollution, with emerging convergence on 29 out of 32 articles – but the talks were adjourned without a final text being agreed Countries will now need to work on bridging their differences to meet the aspirations of the 2022 UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution to end plastic pollution At the UN conference on land and desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, nations launched the Riyadh Action Agenda, committing US$12 billion for land restoration and drought resilience initiatives, and the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership – but were unable to agree on a legally binding protocol to address drought, which has plagued countries across the world, from Africa and Asia to Latin America and Europe

So, the reality is that environmental multilateralism is sometimes messy and sometimes arduous But even in complex geopolitical times, collaboration across borders and across our differences is the only option to protect the foundation of humanity’s existence – Planet Earth UNEP calls for a dramatic uptick in ambition and action in the coming year Nations must promise and deliver huge cuts to greenhouse gas emissions in the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), due by February They must start delivering the necessary finance for climate adaptation and for desertification and biodiversity action And they must work towards agreeing on a strong instrument to end plastic pollution before UNEA-7 in December

As this annual report shows, UNEP has been working tirelessly to help create a broad tent for this to happen UNEP’s science has laid out exactly what nations need to do in their NDCs and supported many nations in preparing these pledges UNEP is providing crucial data to support nations and companies as they act on methane emissions, with real success UNEP is providing finance and technical support on everything from ecosystem restoration to clean air UNEP is working with the private sector to align their businesses and financing with action on the triple planetary crisis And projects that UNEP supports are making a tangible difference in the lives of people around the world from Kenya to Mexico to Niue, enhancing resilience and reducing vulnerabilities

But humanity is not out of the woods Temperatures are rising Ecosystems are disappearing And pollution remains a deadly threat These are global problems that require global solutions The world must pull together to build a fairer, more sustainable planet And UNEP will be there to support countries every step of the way

Inger Andersen

UNEP Executive Director

Bringing the world together

During its sixth session, the United Nations Environment Assembly passed 15 resolutions designed to protect people and planet.

At the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), nations resolved to rein in pollution from chemicals, to combat desertification and address sand and dust storms, to protect the ocean, to reduce air pollution, to better manage freshwater supplies, and to support the sustainable mining of energy transition minerals With a record of 5,600-plus attendees, including 12 heads of state or government, the assembly demonstrated that countries can overcome geopolitical divisions to unite on environmental action “The spirit of true, inclusive multilateralism was evident throughout this vibrant assembly,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP

What is UNEA?

The United Nations Environment Assembly is the world’s highest decisionmaking body on the environment and includes all 193 UN Member States. It sets the global environmental agenda, develops policy responses to emerging environmental challenges and establishes UNEP’s strategic direction

I am proud to say this was a successful assembly, where we advanced on our core mandate: the legitimate human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, everywhere.

Leila Benali

UNEA-6

President

For the first time, UNEA dedicated a day to increasing the impact of Multilateral Environmental Agreements through more united action These international accords have served as frameworks to protect endangered species, repair the ozone layer and rein in chemical pollution, among other things

UNEA-6 also saw youth step up, with environmental activist Grace Catapang from the Philippines decrying the “devastating injustices” caused by environmental degradation

Youth activist Grace Catapang from the Philippines takes the stage at UNEA-6 Ahead of the session, 450 young people from around the world gathered to discuss some of the planet’s biggest environmental challenges Photo: UNEP

Climate action

UNEP is supporting countries as they implement the Paris Agreement, transition to a low-carbon future and adapt to climate change.

Harnessing science to address the climate crisis

The Emissions Gap Report 2024 found that the world must promise and deliver 42 per cent off annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in the next round of countries’ climate pledges, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) If they do not, the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1 5°C by 2100 will not be achievable Based on current policies, a devastating temperature rise of 2 6°C–3 1°C this century is projected The report called for big emitters in the G20 to do most of the heavy lifting

The Adaptation Gap Report 2024 called for a massive increase in financial support for developing nations contending with droughts, floods and other climate-related shocks The report was cited in a landmark decision at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) to triple climate-related finance for developing countries Leaders from Bulgaria, Kenya and Tonga, among others, referenced the gap reports during COP29 Together, the publications were featured in 3,000-plus news stories across over 90 countries

Resourcing the Energy Transition presented seven principles and five actionable recommendations designed to ensure justice, equity and sustainability in minerals development and a circular supply of critical energy transition minerals The report’s recommendations, if followed across extraction, trade, use and disposal of minerals and metals, can help to lower emissions, protect nature, reduce energy poverty, manage demand, address supply and increase benefit shares for producer countries and local communities Recommended by the UN SecretaryGeneral’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, the report informed the UN General Assembly, the G20, and UN summits on biodiversity and climate change

UNEP’s “gap” reports were featured in

3,000+ news stories across 90 countries

According to the Global Resources Outlook, the extraction of natural resources has tripled in the past five decades, driving the triple planetary crisis The report, which calls for sustainable resource management, was cited in a resolution on renewable energy by the Council of the European Union and mentioned in a UNEA-6 resolution The Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment showed how the world can cut 40 per cent off emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that also damages the ozone layer and pollutes the air Cutting emissions could prevent 20 million premature deaths by 2050 The report’s findings were featured at COP29 and covered by global media

Brazil’s Puyanawa Indigenous People use traditional farming techniques, including the planting of hardwood trees, to counter deforestation, a major driver of climate change Photo: UNEP

Backing Paris Agreement implementation

UNEP provided technical support to 64 nations as they produced their first biennial transparency reports, which chart how well nations are meeting their NDCs. Over the last few years, UNEP’s transparency-related work has backed countries as they enhance the use of national climate data, build the capacity of national climate-reporting experts and establish systems to strengthen reporting bodies.

UNEP also supported over 30 countries in advancing implementation of their NDCs UNEP’s work supported Colombia as the nation created plans to scale up climate-related investments UNEP’s work also supported Morocco in forging roadmaps for low-carbon development and Viet Nam in designing mangrove restoration programmes Through peer-learning forums, UNEP supported 120 countries in the preparation of their next NDCs, due in 2025

UNEP supported 35 developing countries in advancing efforts to accelerate low-carbon development through initiatives drawing on over US$200 million in grant funding from the Global Environment Facility, one of the financial mechanisms of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. By also mobilizing billions in co-financing from partners, countries have focused on electric mobility, energy efficiency, renewable energy and low-emission buildings. These initiatives are expected to benefit more than 17 million people and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 300 million tonnes, the equivalent of taking 65 million cars off the road.

In Colombia, UNEP supported the rollout of dozens of electric buses, most of which have been driven by women The initiative is part of a UNEP effort to support 60 low- and middle-income countries as they make the leap to electric transport Photo: La Rolita

Reining in greenhouse gas emissions

UNEP supported 60 low- and middle-income countries as they developed programmes and policies to accelerate their transition to electric vehicles. In 2024, Antigua and Barbuda procured electric buses, India expanded charging infrastructure for electric two- and three-wheelers, and Kenya developed legislation that increased investments in electric motorcycles and buses The work is part of a larger UNEP effort to back electric mobility in the Global South, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution The effort comes amid a rapid transition towards electric mobility In 2023, electric cars accounted for 18 per cent of new car sales globally, a nearly tenfold increase from five years earlier

The UNEP-hosted Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), which in 2024 celebrated its tenth anniversary, provided technical assistance to 26 countries. In Thailand, the CTCN advised the energy ministry as it formulated a national strategy for hydrogen power In Kenya, the CTCN launched an effort to channel financing to 2 million small businesses interested in investing in climate-smart technology

The Global Methane Pledge aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030

The UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition provided technical support to more than 30 countries as they developed roadmaps to reduce emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas with 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide. Six of these roadmaps were finalized in 2024, adding to the 14 already published. The work backs the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 – a key measure to limit global warming.

In 2024, eight countries ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which calls for the phase down of hydrofluorocarbons in the cooling industry. Limiting emissions of these greenhouse gases could curtail global warming by 0.5°C this century. With associated energy efficiency improvements, this could double to 1°C. The UNEP-hosted Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol assisted 70 countries in their efforts to improve the energy efficiency of refrigeration and airconditioning equipment.

A fleet of electric motorcycle taxis make their debut in Thailand, where UNEP is supporting the country’s transition away from petrol-burning vehicles Photo: ENTEC

Supporting communities dealing with climate change

UNEP supported communities in 50 countries as they adapted to drought, rising seas and other climate impacts That work – highlighted in a UNEP podcast, Resilience – is expected to benefit 3 5 million people and restore 241,000 hectares of land. Initiatives launched last year include a US$60 million effort in Jordan to boost water security for 750,000 people.

In addition, three countries – Costa Rica, Nepal and Zimbabwe – finalized their national adaptation plans, with support from UNEP. The plans are designed to unlock public and private sector investment; Nepal’s alone aims to generate US$47 billion by 2050. In all, UNEP is assisting 30 countries in the development of national adaptation plans.

Meanwhile, UNEP supported six small island developing states – the Cook Islands, Niue, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Timor-Leste and Tuvalu – on early-warning systems for natural disasters Niue tracked an April 2024 storm that brought heavy rains and gale force winds, Palau has begun to issue national ocean bulletins and Timor-Leste held community-level disaster simulations

Children in the Pacific island state Niue gather around newly installed weather monitoring equipment The gear is helping meteorologists better forecast extreme weather and issue alerts to communities Photo: UNEP

Financing a low-carbon future

The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) continued to support a large network of banks, insurers and investors in their efforts to address climate change

The Net-Zero Banking Alliance, convened by UNEP FI, with more than 140 members across over 40 countries, saw the number of the lenders setting independent targets for reducing the carbon footprint of their financing efforts across power generation, real estate, transport and other sectors reach well over 100 Around two-thirds of members surveyed had put in place policies for coal, and oil and gas One-third had policies on land use and deforestation The alliance’s members agreed to expand their net-zero targets to include capital market activities, the largest source of “financed emissions” for many banks

The Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance expanded to 89 members, which combined have nearly US$10 trillion under management. In 2023, alliance members channelled US$555 billion into climate-related solutions, up from US$100 billion in 2020 Since the alliance’s launch in 2019, members have driven down the emissions in their portfolios by roughly 6 per cent annually

UN-REDD, a partnership that includes UNEP, advised 11 countries as they developed environmental and social safeguards that would allow them to access the global market for forest-based carbon trading That market got a boost at COP29 when countries operationalized an article of the Paris Agreement that governs carbon trading UN-REDD also provided technical support to seven countries seeking eligibility for more than US$1 billion in resultsbased finance for protecting forests. Safeguarding those forests would prevent the release of 138 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of taking 30 million cars of the road, while delivering benefits for communities and biodiversity

US$555 billion Amount the members of the UNEP FI-led Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance channelled into climate-friendly solutions in 2023

Women collect seeds in Sumatra, Indonesia Villagers here are participating in a UN-REDD programme that allows them to earn money without felling local trees, a process key to countering climate change Photo: UNEP

The digital age

UNEP is using AI, satellite data and other cutting-edge technology to counter the triple planetary crisis

One of UNEP’s most successful efforts in the digital space is the International Methane Emissions Observatory, which uses satellite data and machine learning to detect methane leaks from oil and gas installations. The system notified companies and governments of 1,066 releases from 1 January to 30 September 2024. The alerts prompted action to plug major leaks in Algeria and Nigeria, preventing the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to those 1 million cars would produce over a year.

UNEP’s Digital Accelerator Lab houses cutting-edge digital tools , including one that allows users to track the health of rivers, lakes and aquifers.

The Digital Accelerator Lab, launched in May 2024, features 20 digital applications and prototypes These include the Freshwater Ecosystems Explorer, which allows users to access high-resolution maps of lakes, rivers and other sources of freshwater, and track their extent over time The Strata platform spotlights areas where environmental stressors, like climate change, overlap with conflict and socio-economic challenges, helping decision makers prioritize responses and foster peacebuilding

UNEP is also working to ensure that new technologies do not harm the environment. Ahead of the UN General Assembly in September, UNEP released Artificial Intelligence (AI) End-to-End, which offered seven recommendations for minimizing AI’s impact on the planet. Those included establishing global standards for measuring AI’s environmental footprint.

Photo: UNEP

Nature action

UNEP is working to reverse the unprecedented decline of the natural world, while supporting communities that depend on nature for their survival.

Championing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

UNEP scaled up support for countries as they initiate the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), a landmark 2022 agreement to halt and reverse the loss of nature

UNEP supported 70 countries in updating their national biodiversity strategies and targets, which outline how countries will translate the agreement’s goals into action As of November 2024, 52 UNEP-supported nations had submitted their revised national biodiversity targets. In May 2024, UNEP and China launched the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, which will provide financial and technical support to developing countries for the implementation of the GBF. China has committed about US$230 million to the fund, which has already approved projects in 15 countries.

The international community has made some headway on the GBF target to protect 30 per cent of the Earth by 2030, but progress needs to accelerate, found the Protected Planet Report 2024 Some 18 per cent of land and inland waters and 8 per cent of ocean and coastal areas are within documented protected and conserved areas However, a land area roughly the size of Brazil and Australia combined and a sea area larger than the Indian Ocean still need to be designated by 2030 to meet the global target The quality and representativeness of the ecosystems and biodiversity protected is crucial, the report said

UNEP also supported the Brazilian G20 Presidency on the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy, which promotes sustainable and inclusive economic growth through bioeconomic approaches. As part of this initiative, high-level principles were developed, providing a framework to ensure economic, social and environmental sustainability.

In Madagascar, UNEP is supporting local communities as they create sustainable livelihoods and protect forests and the biodiversity they contain Photo: UNEP

Safeguarding the natural world

UNEP is assisting 108 countries as they conserve, sustainably manage and restore their ecosystems – protecting wildlife and supporting Indigenous Peoples, who are the world’s major stewards of biodiversity UNEP also supports local communities and is enlisting the private sector in biodiversity conservation action Thanks to UNEP’s interventions, over 1 6 million hectares of terrestrial and marine areas are under improved management Nearly 900,000 people are expected to benefit from UNEP’s work on landscapes.

UNEP also supported the conservation and restoration of 2.3 million hectares of marine environments, including mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass meadows. That work spanned 53 countries and took place in some of the world’s most sensitive bodies of water, including the Red Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the South Pacific Ocean. As one example, UNEP supported the Thai Ministry of Environment as it established a 900-hectare marine safe haven that protects a threatened species of crab crucial to local economies.

UNEP and the African Development Bank teamed up to produce the Natural Capital Atlas of Africa The report catalogued the value of the continent’s soil, water, minerals and other natural resources, supporting policymakers to make more informed development decisions The atlas followed a request from African governments for strategies that make the continent’s natural capital sustainable It was designed to contribute to Agenda 2063, Africa’s blueprint for becoming a global economic powerhouse

During a star-studded ceremony at UNEA-6, UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN recognized seven World Restoration Flagships under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration The efforts, from Pakistan to Peru, are expected to restore 40 million hectares and create 500,000 jobs

Sonia Guajajara, Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, was named a UNEP Champion of the Earth for her efforts to protect biodiversity and solidify the territorial claims of Indigenous communities Photo: UNEP

Combatting deser tification

UNEP supported the marshalling of US$80 million in funding for Africa’s Great Green Wall, an effort to increase the amount of arable land across 8,000 km of the Sahel, a semi-arid region that spans Africa The projects from that funding are expected to cover more than 6 9 million hectares and benefit 5 million people. In Iraq, 90 per cent of which is arid or semi-arid, UNEP supported the roll out of a national strategy to counter land degradation. In the countries of the South Caucuses, including Armenia and Georgia, UNEP is backing the restoration of 20,000 hectares of degraded drylands, work that is expected to benefit 15,000 people

Restoration boosts livelihoods, lowers poverty and builds resilience

to extreme weather – supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Inger Andersen UNEP Executive Director

World Environment Day showcased solutions to drought, desertification and land degradation, spurring people around the world to act on these mounting threats Saudi Arabia hosted the official celebrations on 5 June, while 4,000 other events took place in 150-plus countries #WorldEnvironmentDay was the top trending hashtag on X, while political leaders and celebrities, from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to actor Leonardo DiCaprio, voiced their support for ecosystem restoration UNEP’s World Environment Day-related content was viewed 421 million times across social media, while the celebration was mentioned by press in 178 countries.

At the sixteenth Conference of Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, nations launched the Riyadh Action Agenda, which saw US$12 billion committed in loans and grants for land restoration and drought resilience initiatives Also launched was the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which will work to leverage finance in support of 80 of the most vulnerable and drought-hit countries around the world

Abdullah Ibrahim Alissa and other conservationists are greening parts of Saudia Arabia’s Thadiq National Park in an ambitious bid to stop desertification Photo: UNEP

Fostering healthy freshwater ecosystems

UNEP worked to protect, conserve and restore the world’s lakes, rivers and aquifers, which are under mounting pressure from the triple planetary crisis

UNEP joined the UN-Water community to launch the UN System-Wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation UNEP and UN Water co-produced the Mid-Term Status Report on Sustainable Development Goal 6 Indicators, which set out recommendations for decision makers The report found that half of countries are seeing freshwater ecosystems degrade and that river flows are slowing in 402 basins, including those that house the Congo, Parana and Volga rivers

UNEP scaled up its country-level work, supporting the sustainable management of watersheds in Brazil and India, and the conservation of peatlands in the Congo Basin UNEP also advanced a partnership with Rotary International to train its 1 4 million members as citizen scientists and track the health of freshwater bodies

Alongside multiple partners, UNEP launched the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action – a series of discussions among nations designed to elevate the role of water in climate action.

Women meet in Pakistan’s Hunza Valley, where community members are restoring ailing ecosystems around the Indus River in an effort to counter flooding

The UN recognized the initiative as a World Restoration Flagship Photo: UNEP

Financing biodiversity

In 2024, 22 signatories joined the UNEP FI-led Principles for Responsible Banking, which supports banks as they align their core business with the Sustainable Development Goals and environmental accords like the GBF More than 350 lenders – representing half of the world’s banking assets – have adopted the principles and are putting sustainable finance targets in place

Meanwhile, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs financed efforts to protect 1.7 million hectares of coral reefs, which are under threat from multiple stressors, in 13 countries. The fund supported Indonesia in launching a landmark US$35 million debt-for-nature swap, Mexico in countering a seaweed epidemic that is smothering coral reefs and the Philippines in improving the management of marine protected areas The fund’s work in 2024 is expected to benefit around 15,000 people through training and job creation UNEP is the global monitoring and evaluation lead for the fund and co-chair of its executive board

We are the first generation to fully understand the immense threats to the land – and might be the last one with a chance to reverse the course of destruction.

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema UNEP Deputy Executive Director

In Mexico, UNEP is helping conservationists raise king crabs The animals are voracious consumers of algae, which is infesting sensitive coral reefs as the ocean warms due to climate change Photo: UNEP

Bridging the gender divide

Women at the centre of environmental action

The triple planetary crisis weighs heavily on women, deepening gender inequality and trapping millions in poverty To counter that, UNEP proactively ensures that women participate equally in environmental restoration while creating economic opportunities that make people more resilient to climate change

With UNEP support, a group of green startups in Asia has raised US$350 million in funding since 2021

UNEP supported dozens of countries in integrating the principles of human rights and gender equality into their national biodiversity strategies and worked with nations under the Global Framework on Chemicals to integrate gender-related considerations into the management of hazardous chemicals and waste

UNEP and UN Women continued the rollout of a programme that provides support to women in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Nam as they access finance and purchase clean-energy technologies The effort is expected to benefit 100,000 people

UNEP and partners also launched the latest round of an accelerator for green start-ups in Asia-Pacific Since 2021, the accelerator has supported 100 businesses, including 30 run by women Those firms have gone on to raise a combined US$350 million

Those successes come from UNEP’s efforts to mainstream gender across its programme of work. Initial results indicate that 94 per cent of UNEP projects designed in the first half of 2024 integrated gender well, based on a comprehensive metric used by the UN

UNEP supported communities around the world, including those in Cambodia, as they ramped up their use of renewable energy Photo: UNEP

Pollution action

UNEP is assisting nations to phase out hazardous chemicals, limit all forms of pollution and forge more circular economies.

Taking on

plastic pollution

Humanity produces more than 400 million tonnes of plastic each year, much of which ends up in the environment

Throughout 2024, UNEP led a global movement to end this plastic pollution, which is a mounting threat to human and planetary health UNEP provided technical support to over 30 countries as they developed regulations to reduce plastic pollution at its source, improve the design of products, scale up reuse and refill systems, and bolster waste management practices.

Plastic pollution negotiations make headway

In the first programme of its kind, UNEP advised 12 countries in the early stages of developing extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies, which make producers responsible for plastic packaging throughout its life cycle

The effort is designed to raise recycling rates and improve product design, reducing plastic pollution

In December, countries moved closer to finalizing a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution During talks in Busan, Republic of Korea, representatives from more than 170 nations agreed to a Chair’s Text that will serve as the starting point for renewed negotiations in 2025 “It is clear that the world still wants and demands an end to plastic pollution,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen “We need to ensure we craft an instrument that hits the problem hard instead of punching below its potential weight ”

Some 40 countries now have EPR schemes up and running In India, UNEP is supporting the rollout of bans on certain single-use plastics and assisting in the implementation of national EPR guidelines More than 45,000 companies have joined the EPR initiative

The UNEP-hosted Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions provided technical assistance to 53 nations as they sought to better manage plastic waste This led to the creation of waste management hubs in South Africa, the development of a regional policy on single-use plastic in Southeast Asia, and the launch of programmes to teach children in Sri Lanka about the dangers of plastic pollution

Finally, 180 investors, banks and insurers, representing US$17 trillion in assets, signed the UNEP FI-backed Finance Statement on Plastic Pollution, encouraging countries to agree a deal to end plastic pollution.

Participants attend talks in Busan, Republic of Korea designed to forge a legally binding global agreement to end plastic pollution Photo: UNEP

Reducing air and chemical pollution

In Kenya, UNEP supported the installation of air pollution sensors at Nairobi’s main airport Combined with meteorological data, these sensors allowed officials to warn residents more accurately about surges in airborne toxins, like PM10, nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide The model is being replicated in Timor-Leste In Yaoundé, Cameroon, sensors helped identify open dumpsites that were major sources of air pollution.

The Stockholm Convention, whose secretariat is hosted by UNEP, added two potentially toxic chemicals commonly found in plastic to its list of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which now stands at 34 items. Celebrating its twentieth anniversary in 2024, the convention is designed to protect people and the environment from POPs, including those known as “forever chemicals”.

The Secretariat of the Basel Convention, also hosted by UNEP, supported 40 nations as they prepared for new rules that prohibit the export of electronic waste to countries that have not provided their prior informed consent. The requirement, which came into effect on 1 January 2025, is important to control this fast-growing type of hazardous waste

UNEP also assisted more than 22 countries in stemming the flow of pollution, from nitrogen to plastics, into the sea from land-based sources UNEP provided technical advice to Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago as they developed national plans for reducing nitrogen pollution UNEP supported the development of national source inventories on plastics, which will inform the development of strategies and plans in 19 countries Finally, UNEP worked with communities in Saba, Malaysia on wastewater treatment solutions

UNEP continued to play an important role in the global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which new data suggests could claim 39 million lives from 2025 to 2050. As part of the Quadripartite partnership on AMR, UNEP supported countries in their efforts to prevent the release of antimicrobials, and drug-resistant organisms and genes, into the environment, focusing on sectors from pharmaceuticals to agriculture. This comes amid a global push to counter AMR. The UN General Assembly adopted a political declaration calling for a more concerted effort to address the threat and recognizing the leading role of the Quadripartite in crafting a response That was reiterated in a ministerial conference on AMR

Medical doctors, pharmacists, physicians, veterinarians and zoologists from 14 countries developed a campaign to help young people counter antimicrobial resistance Photo: Quadripartite Working Group on Youth Engagement for AMR

Building circular economies and societies

UNEP advised regulatory bodies in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Paraguay as they launched Latin America’s first eco-labelling programme This includes a certification for products that meet high sustainability standards throughout their entire life cycle The initiative is expected to assist 450 million consumers in making more-informed purchasing decisions

In addition, UNEP supported Mauritius in rolling out a circular economy roadmap Mauritius is one of seven African nations – along with Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda – that UNEP has supported as part of an initiative to foster sustainable consumption and production In the last decade, the initiative has helped to divert 25,000 tonnes of waste from landfills and create about 20,000 jobs

Under the Global Framework on Chemicals, UNEP is collaborating with partners to identify ways to reduce pollution from a range of industries, including textiles, agriculture and construction. That work is expected to be bolstered by the creation of a science-policy panel on chemicals, waste and pollution prevention, currently under negotiation.

Meanwhile, UNEP provided technical assistance to over 35 small textile companies in Africa as they developed plans to improve sustainability At the global level, TikTok, which has over 1 billion users, is developing a training programme for content creators based on UNEP’s Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook, which is designed to counter overconsumption

Gazing into the future

How UNEP uses foresight to prepare for the environmental challenges of tomorrow

UNEP released Navigating New Horizons, which identified eight critical global shifts, including the emergence of digital technologies, that have major implications for our shared environment The report is part of UNEP’s growing efforts to anticipate and prepare for future challenges and opportunities

Responding to disasters and conflict

UNEP provided technical support to foster peace and sustainable development through environmental action.

UNEP supported countries struggling to cope with devastating environmental consequences caused by war and conflict. In Gaza, a landmark UNEP environmental assessment found that conflict has caused “unprecedented” levels of pollution, with sewage, debris and toxic munitions contaminating soil, water and the air. The report notes that environmental degradation is contributing to human suffering and risks irreversible damage to Gaza’s ecosystems.

39 million tonnes

Amount of debris generated by the war in Gaza through July 2024, according to a UNEP environmental assessment

UNEP and the UN Development Programme are providing technical support as the people of Gaza attempt to clear and manage the estimated 50 million tonnes of debris The project is expected to open key humanitarian access routes that would benefit up to 200,000 people and establish the first debris recycling centre in Gaza

This follows efforts in Mansuriya Village, Iraq, where more than 60,000 tonnes of conflict-related debris were removed, paving the way for hundreds of people to return home after almost a decade Some of that rubble went into Iraq’s first road made from recycled debris In 2024, the mobile debris system was handed over to Kirkuk Governate by UNEP and the International Organization for Migration as part of efforts to build long-term circularity.

Meanwhile, experts deployed through the UNEP-UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs Joint Environment Unit supported seven countries as they navigated the aftermath of environmental disasters, including Ethiopia (landslides), Guinea (chemical explosion) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (hurricane). Last year marked the unit’s thirtieth anniversary. Since its launch, it has operated in 60 countries, conducting 45 environmental assessments and supporting 250 deployments of experts.

A UNEP environmental assessment found the conflict in Gaza has led to “unprecedented” levels of pollution Photo: AFP

Striving for efficiency, effectiveness and impact

As part of its commitment to streamline UNEP’s implementation machinery in the service of Member States, in 2024, UNEP continued to tightly monitor operational efficiency, effectiveness and impact

Portfolio dashboards with a set of performance trackers are extensively used by Directors and teams, while the Senior Management Team holds Quarterly Business Review (QBR) meetings The QBR uses a “traffic light system” to track portfolio performance, funds utilization, donor and implementing partner management, audit and evaluation and related management issues

A high performing team that reflects the United Nations

UNEP works in strict accordance with Article 101/3 of the UN Charter which provides that the paramount consideration in the employment of staff and in the determination of the conditions of service shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity The Article further stresses that due regard shall be paid to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible

Pursuant to this goal, UNEP held over 30 talent outreach events around the world to engage potential candidates from across regions. Through these outreach events, UNEP reached more than 16,500 potential applicants, establishing UNEP as a leader in talent outreach within the UN Secretariat.

UNEP also welcomed the first cohort of the Young Talent Pipeline, which aims to attract high talent junior professionals from regions where young people might not typically consider applying for a UNEP Headquarters job. A second cohort is in the final selection phase.

Consistent outreach for top talent is yielding early results. The number of professional-level staff from lessrepresented geographical regions jumped 10 per cent between 2023 and 2024

UNEP onboarded the first cohort of Young Talent Pipeline at the Headquarters in Nairobi on 29 January 2024 Photo: UNEP

To keep pace with today’s environmental challenges, UNEP is broadening its funding base and with additional emphasis on efficient and robust fund management. In 2024, 94 Member States contributed to the Environment Fund, the foundation of UNEP’s work. In addition, three UNEP Planetary Funds – focused on climate, nature and pollution – are delivering tangible impacts on the ground, demonstrating the transformative power of strategic investment. Additional earmarked funds from governments, multilateral partners and others also supported the expansion of UNEP’s work.

Financial status as of December 2024 (US$ million)

Top-15 Earmarked contributors in 2024 (US$ million)

Top-15 Environment Fund contributors in 2024 (US$ million)

Contributors to Environment Fund in 2024 by category (number of Member States)

Full share* contributors

Other contributors

Non-contributors

*Full share of the Environment Fund budget as per the voluntary indicative scale of contributions, established by the Member States

Full share contributors

Albania

Armenia

Bahamas (the)

Barbados

Belgium

Belize

Bhutan

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cabo Verde

Cyprus

Denmark

Dominica

Dominican Republic (the)

Eswatini

Fiji

France

Gambia (the)

Georgia

Grenada

Guyana

Iceland

Iraq

Ireland

Italy

Jamaica

Jordan

Kenya

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Madagascar

Maldives

Malta

Mauritius

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Nauru

Nepal

Netherlands (Kingdom of the)

New Zealand

Nor way

Oman

Palau

Peru

Philippines (the)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Slovenia

Somalia

Sri Lanka

Sweden

Tajikistan

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)

Uruguay

Vanuatu

Other contributors

Andorra

Australia

Austria

Bangladesh

Botswana

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Canada

China

Croatia

Czechia

Finland

Germany

Hungar y

Indonesia

Japan

Kazakhstan

Kuwait

Malaysia

Mexico

Micronesia (Federated States of )

Pakistan

Paraguay

Portugal

Republic of Korea

Singapore

Slovakia

South Africa

Spain

Switzerland

Thailand

Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda

United States of America (the)

Viet Nam

This publication is a project of Ariel Foundation International, created as part of its global mission to empower youth as advocates for environmental change and sustainable development.Through initiatives like "Voices for Earth: Youth-Led Advocacy Summit to End Plastic Pollution" held on World Environment Day, 5th June 2025, the Foundation strengthens youth-led action to end plastic pollution and protect the planet for future generations. Ariel Foundation International is grateful for the generous support of its headline sponsor, the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain, whose humanitarian commitment continues to inspire and uplift communities worldwide. Their partnership underscores the power of collaboration in advancing youth leadership, environmental stewardship, and global advocacy in alignment with the 2030 Agenda