Our current generation faces unprecedented challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution in what is known as the triple planetary crisis. As the triple COP season kicks off, a flurry of UN negotiations and meetings are taking place in an attempt to face these challenges head on, using policy to stimulate the necessary behaviour changes needed to sustain our planet. A number of meetings have also taken place at the regional level to further the momentum to implement local activities geared to achieve global goals. MedWaves is particularly active in addressing chemicals and wastes as a driver to a plastic-free, just future for all. Activities along this pathway also engage the twin focus of addressing sustainable consumption and production.

“Chemicals management is linked to pretty much all of the Sustainable Development Goals. This means that decision-makers in various fora dealing with sustainable development – the SDGs, climate change, biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, education, health, gender equality, partnerships, and so on – need to be aware of the importance of chemicals management. They need to take the right actions so that chemicals can contribute, and not hinder, progress in all these areas.”

Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions

Complexity is intimidating. Whether considering the triple planetary crisis or a personal problem, recognizing overlapping and intersecting needs, not to mention addressing the availability of resources to satisfy the challenge, can be overwhelming. Yet, we should not be afraid of complexity. Often the most beautiful ideas and solutions, the most profound music and art, and the most meaningful friendships are also complex in nature.

Chemicals and wastes are one of the more complex issues of our time. The ubiquitousness of chemicals, such as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), plastics and microplastics are impossible to ignore. Yet, recognising the cross-cutting nature of the pollution challenge to biodiversity, as well as climate and land considerations is essential in building an effective momentum to carry out the much-needed transformation.

During the month of October, several regional meetings progressed on identifying both challenges and opportunities related to the chemicals and wastes, from capacity building to securing a safe natural ecosystem and thriving sustainable business ecosystems. MedWaves, as an activity centre supporting transformation through the promotion of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) activities, is in a unique and privileged position to be able to engage with, and respond to, these complex challenges. Serving both the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean and the Stockholm Convention on POPs, MedWaves was established under the legal framework of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) under the Barcelona Convention belonging to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). As a result, MedWaves demonstrates the aspiration of global goals through specific regional activities.

Several programmes under the MedWaves umbrella directly address the chemicals challenge alongside the promise of a blue and green sustainable future for all. Among them, MedProgramme aims to improve the health and livelihood of coastal populations in the Mediterranean region specifically by reducing major transboundary environmental stresses and strengthening climate resilience and water security. As a partner with MEDPOL and the BRS Secretariat, there is a focus on the implementation of strategies for the prevention of toxic chemicals. Prevention can take place through the adoption of new regulations for the restriction of import, manufacturing and use of new POPs. Meetings in October ranged from addressing specific chemicals, like mercury wastes, to inspiring design for a world free of plastics.

MedWaves Poster for IWC 2024

Building Momentum:

“Driving a new convergence between chemicals and sustainability involves bringing science, knowledge, policy, technology and opportunity closer to those who can turn them into development choices and pathways”.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General, and Administrator, UN Development Programme (UNDP) during the 3rd Berlin Forum

The 5th Project Steering Committee Meeting of MedProgramme Child Project 1.1 and Regional Meeting on Mercury Waste Management convened from 15-16 October in Madrid, Spain. Jordi Moles presented recent MedWaves work: “Reducing Pollution from Harmful Chemicals and Wastes in Mediterranean Hotspots and Measuring Progress to Impacts, highlighting significant outcomes from programming, such as reduction of harmful chemicals and waste (POPs and mercury) in coastal hotspots and catchment areas​. He reported on the types of MedWaves-supported activities that are addressing toxic chemical use in Mediterranean countries, specifically Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia. He noted that part of the focus has been to ensure the adoption of environmentally sound alternatives, thus preventing the use of toxic chemicals. Considering the high cost of disposal and elimination of POPs and mercury-containing waste, MedWaves has been devoted to demonstrating the practical replacement of POPs with those recently listed under the Stockholm Convention such as mercury, now regulated under the Minamata Convention. Moles noted that synergy among Contracting Parties has contributed to both effective coordination and a powerful portfolio of activities.

We Are the Wave:

The Mediterranean Sea makes up a mere 1% of the world’s ocean, yet contains 10% of global marine biodiversity. Unfortunately, threatening this natural wealth is the fact that the Sea also hosts 55% of all floating ocean plastic particles and concentrates and 7% of all global microplastics. When the ecosystem is degraded, a ripple effect touches both human and environmental health. Some of the fundamental sectors in the Mediterranean generate impact as well as suffer from the results of such impact.

This regional challenge requires a whole of society approach. As such, MedWaves works with governments in the Mediterranean region, as well as businesses, to stop the generation of marine debris, strengthen the framework of the Barcelona Convention and support sustainable business development under the circular economy approach (as with the Switchers Support Program). In this way, it becomes possible to prevent waste from reaching the sea and creates a pathway to a sustainable blue economy.

On 17 October, in Barcelona Spain, the Economia Blava Sostenible: el camí cap a un mar Mediterrani sense residus plàstics convened to stimulate innovation and demonstrate how a sustainable blue economy, specifically through new sustainable business models can prevent the dumping of plastic waste in the Mediterranean and facilitate recycling. Bringing together policy makers, companies, educational and research centres, social organisations and citizens, the event helped to raise awareness of the benefits of implementing circularity principles in blue economy companies by celebrating and showcasing success. The examples of circular companies from all over the Mediterranean working in the prevention of the generation of plastic waste as well as in its recovery give proof that a wave of change is underway, and in fact, we are the wave!

From left to right: Anna Ibáñez (Project Manager – MedWaves), Jordi Oliver Solà (Executive Director – inèdit), Ricard Moreno González (Sales & Partnership Manager – Bumerang) and Andrea Ruzo (Managing Director – ECOALF Foundation)

Designing Solutions:

“The problem is not only a particular group, a particular sector It’s everybody’s problems. And we need to deal with this not only at the government level, but also at the community level, at the regional level, and it covers both the ocean, the land, and the atmosphere as well.”

Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions

The Annual Steering Committee of the Basel Convention, Plastic Waste Partnership and Third meeting of the Household Waste Partnership Working Group met back-to-back from 22-26 October in Barcelona, Spain. These meetings were of particular relevance for MedWaves as the Sustainable Consumption and Production Regional Centre of UNEP/MAP. Marta Junquera Tordesillas, MedWaves’s Team Leader of Policy Area and Ignasi Mateo, Project Manager Blue Mission Med shared a presentation drawing on the focus of circular economy, sustainable blue economy, addressing marine litter and wastes as well as toxic chemicals.

Among the highlights were activities relevant to policy, such as updating the Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean. Additionally, MedWaves offers support to individual countries to develop national policy frameworks via specific useful tools such as:

• Guidelines to phase out single-use plastic bags in the Mediterranean
• Guidelines to address single-use plastics through public procurement in the Mediterranean
• Guidelines to tackle single-use plastic products in the Mediterranean region
• Plastic’s Toxic Additives and the Circular Economy
• Regional policy measures to support green and circular businesses in the Mediterranean

One of the most meaningful contributions MedWaves seeks to make in this field is to implement and scale up existing solutions and good practices. The region has a wealth of stakeholders that at times do not have the chance to interact. Through strategic programming, these groups can be brought together to help raise awareness and foster collaboration. The specific technical assistance and capacity building being delivered throughout the region were highlighted as follows:

• Morocco: Development of an Extended producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme and roadmap with a particular focus on plastic packaging and beverage containers.
• Tunisia: Support for the implementation of targeted solutions to phase out SUP bags and Communication campaigns.
• Lebanon: Provide support to the Ministry of Environment to assess and select targeted solutions to tackle and reduce the use of SUP bags and Training on EPR.
• Algeria: Support for the development of a draft framework convention between the AND (Agence National de Déchets) and the APAB (Association de Producteurs Algériens de Boissons) signed in June 2024.

The presentation featured pilot projects designed to support national strategies/plans/priorities in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro, including training on green public procurement in relation to plastics. The Plastics Busters MPAs project is established at the local level. Demonstration has been carried out in Spain (Delta de l’Ebre MPA): Initiating a reusable cup system for beach bars; Spain (Cabo de Gata MPA): Developing a Deposit and Return System (DRS) for beverage containers; Italy (Miramare MPA): Promoting the sustainable management of mussel farming nets; and Capitalising on BeMed initiatives to reduce plastic pollution in Med Islands: CapiMed Islands project. To prevent plastic use and reduce plastic leakage, businesses were engaged in creating a Low Plastic Zone initiative in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Morocco, Tunisia and Lebanon. As part of the EU Mission Restore our Oceans and Seas 2030, the BlueMissionMed project has implemented innovative measures to reduce plastic litter, microplastics and use of chemical pesticides. In addition to engaging businesses, there is also a need to work towards engaging all of society, beginning with raising awareness among citizens.

Jesús Maestro (MedWaves Director) and Rolph Payet (Executive Secretary, BRS Conventions)

Household Waste Partnership and Plastic Waste Partnership joint sessions group

 “We also need to have solutions. We need to look at circular approaches. We need to look at recycling. We need to look at reduction. We need to change the use. We need to, as many countries have done, avoid simple-use plastic and find better alternatives as well.”

Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions

Onward!

As we prepare for the Climate Talks in Baku and the INC 5 in Busan, we are curious to hear from our readers: Which meetings are you attending this season? Are you finding the synergies among MEAs made clear, and if so, where? Exchanging experiences is how we grow together!

To learn more about the work of MedWaves, please meet us in our virtual library!