With the growing awareness of the damage to marine life caused by plastics, at IGES, we are strengthening our efforts by participating in an initiative by MOEJ and Kanagawa Prefecture.
MOEJ campaign and forum on Plastics Smart
On 23 January 2019, MOEJ launched the Plastics Smart forum with the approval of 40 diverse groups from within Japan. IGES pledged to carry out the following actions.
1. We are carrying out wide-ranging policy research and recommendations from the perspective of sustainable consumption and production, including proper waste management in consideration of the environment, creation of an effective recycle system looking at Asia as a whole, and improved resource efficiency and resource productivity. By contributing to policy forums on resource efficiency and creation of a sound material cycle society, we contribute to policy studies and international cooperation to solve the problem of the flow of plastic waste from the land into the oceans which is the cause of marine plastic pollution.
２. We voluntarily refrain from using single-use plastic items (such as plastic drink bottles) at seminars held by IGES and international conferences for projects implemented by IGES. We will make efforts to encourage related organisations and entities to find ways to replace single-use plastics.
IGES will develop actions with a focus on “Refrain”, “Pursue”, “Tell”, and “Spread”, out of the 12 activities implemented by the groups in the Plastics Smart forum.
MOEJ website: http://plastics-smart.env.go.jp/en/
Endorsing Kanagawa No Plastic Waste Declaration
Kanagawa Prefecture launched an initiative - Kanagawa No Plastic Waste Declaration - in September 2018 and IGES fully endorses this declaration while pledging to take action as set out below. Furthermore, on 12 February 2019, IGES received a certificate of registration from Prefectural Governor Kuroiwa along with 90 other organisations and groups in Kanagawa.
1. We voluntarily refrain from using single-use plastic items (such as plastic drink bottles) at seminars held by IGES and international conferences for projects implemented by IGES. We will make efforts to encourage related organisations and entities to find ways to replace single-use plastics.
2. IGES will carry out survey research to alleviate marine pollution caused by plastic litter and aim to communicate and educate by making use of the knowledge gained from this research through lectures and environmental learning etc.
IGES will encourage all staff working at Hayama headquarters or living in Kanagawa Prefecture to also take action on all 16 points of the “No Plastic Waste Declaration” with the Kanagawa MyEco10 Declaration.
Kanagawa MyEco10 Declaration: http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/docs/p3k/sdgs/index.html