National Consultation Workshop to form a coalition of coastal cities to combat marine litter

Marine litter, a major consequence of the global solid waste crisis, sees plastics comprising about 60% of ocean debris. A 2020 Pew Trusts report estimates that 11 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, harming marine life. Nearly 80% of this debris comes from land-based sources, while 20% originates from marine activities like fishing. India, with its 7,517 km coastline and rich ecosystems, faces significant challenges, leaking approximately 16,000 metric tonnes of plastic daily from coastal areas. In response, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) organized a National Workshop that successfully launched the Coalition of Coastal Cities to combat marine litter. This event brought together city managers, administrators, policy maker, researcher, volunteer, NGOs to assess the issue and develop a coordinated action plan.