Our Approach
Tackling plastic pollution at the source
Maldives SHiFT is a holistic programme to help tackle plastic pollution in Maldives, led by eXXpedition CIC, in partnership with the Republic of Maldives’ Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, the UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the University of Georgia, The Maldives National University, Parley Maldives, The Commonwealth, Fauna & Flora, and with funding from the UK Government’s International Development as part of the Defra Ocean Country Partnership Programme.
The programme ran from April 2023 to January 2024 and consisted of three parts: a Leadership Programme, a Circularity Assessment and an action-focused Stakeholder Meeting.
Following this programme, eXXpedition intends to support the implementation of solutions to plastic pollution, in line with the findings of the Circularity Assessment and outcomes from the Stakeholder Meeting.
Background
Plastic pollution in the ocean is causing devastating environmental and health impacts globally and there’s no silver bullet solution to solve it. The problem needs to be tackled at the source and approached from many angles simultaneously.
At a community level, individuals and local groups need empowered leaders to drive their awareness and help them understand the real problem of, and solutions to, plastic pollution in their local environment.
Decision-makers at a local, national and international level need data to take an informed holistic approach to identify successful research-driven solutions in policy, infrastructure and industry innovation.
Partners
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Republic of Maldives, is responsible for implementing government policies, regulations, programmes and projects related to the provision of clean water and appropriate sewerage services, provision of clean and affordable energy services, provision of clean and healthy environment free from pollution, protection of the islands from coastal erosion, advocate for the rights of small islands states in the fight against climate change, mobilize finance to adapt and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, coordinating sustainable development goals within the government, and protection and preservation of natural environment.
The DEFRA-funded Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) supports countries to strengthen marine science expertise, develop science-based policy and management tools, and create educational resources for coastal communities with a focus on marine pollution, sustainable seafood and marine biodiversity. The programme is funded through official development assistance (ODA) as part of the UK’s Blue Planet Fund. Through the OCPP, the UK partners with ODA-eligible countries to deliver tangible and positive impacts on the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems. Work in OCPP is primarily delivered by the UK government’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
eXXpedition is a not-for-profit organisation on a mission to help people understand the true ocean plastic and toxic pollution problem, so they can use their skills to solve it from sea to source. eXXpedition runs transformative journeys at sea, on land and online to research the causes of and solutions to the ocean plastic pollution problem, and virtual leadership programmes to inspire long lasting change in communities. eXXpedition is led by Emily Penn who has spent 15 years researching and tackling plastic pollution in oceanic gyres, with small island communities, and with industry and government to cultivate solutions.
The University of Georgia (UGA)’s Circularity Informatics Lab is committed to information sharing, data analytics, empowering communities, and systems change related to circular materials management. Professor Jenna Jambeck, who leads this lab, has been conducting research on solid waste issues for over 25 years with related projects on marine debris since 2001 and her work on plastic waste inputs into the ocean has been recognized by the global community and translated into global policy discussions.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states, home to 2.4 billion people. The Commonwealth Secretariat is an independent organisation working with the 56 member countries, assisting them to together promote prosperity, democracy and peace, amplify the voice of small states, and protect the environment. The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Trade, Ocean and Natural Resources Directorate assists its member countries to sustainably manage their natural resources, in the ocean and on land, for the benefit of present and future generations. The Secretariat provides technical assistance supporting member countries in the development of policies, laws, fiscal regimes and strengthening national institutions. The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by Commonwealth countries to actively cooperate in addressing the myriad of ocean-related challenges and commitments that they face.
The Maldives National University (MNU) is the oldest academic institution and biggest higher education provider in Maldives. The mission of MNU is to create, discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge that are necessary to enhance the lives and livelihoods of people and essential for the cultural, social and economic development of the nation. The Research Development Office of MNU has extensive experience in project and research management liaising with local and international partners, developmental organisations and funding bodies. MNU has been engaged in a number of local and international projects focusing on environment, marine litter, climate change and marine sciences. Being a state-owned university, MNU works with government institutions, atoll and island councils, communities, SMEs, NGOs and other stakeholders to support their research needs.
Parley Maldives is a Maldivian NGO dedicated to combating plastic pollution throughout the dispersed island nation. Their flagship country programs involve collaborating with government bodies, local communities, and the tourism industry to implement the Parley AIR Strategy (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign) in the fight against marine plastic pollution. Recognizing the immense waste management challenges faced by the country, Parley Maldives has been actively involved in removing recyclable plastic from waste streams, preventing its burning in landfills, and driving the adoption of Parley AIR Strategy nationwide. Through initiatives including school collaborations, community cleanups and plastic interception, Parley Maldives is working to reduce the reliance on single-use plastics and prevent their entry into the oceans.
Fauna & Flora works to protect the diversity of life on Earth, for the survival of the planet and its people. We work closely with local conservation partners in 19 countries across our marine programme to save nature, together. Specifically, Fauna & Flora’s marine portfolio aims to support more effective marine protection globally, underpinned by appropriate national policies to support positive change, and delivered by established and empowered local partners.
