People, Circular Economy, Peace & Partnership, Asia Pacific

WWF launches Plastic Smart Cities initiative in South East Asia

WWF | Nov 29, 2019

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Image by Brian Yurasits

Singapore, Tuesday, 19 November 2019 – WWF launched the Plastic Smart Cities initiative today at the Responsible Business Forum in Singapore. The initiative brings cities and tourist destinations together to commit to fight plastic pollution by developing an action plan, establishing circular economy projects and testing innovative solutions. ln the last 12 months, WWF has successfully fundraised $40M USD for the initiative.

The Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc District, Vietnam – Mr. Mai Van Huynh, the Advisor to Mayor of Patong Municipality, Thailand – Dr. Kumnung advisor to the Mayor of Patong Ms. Sing – Eaim, and the Mayor of Donsol, Philippines – Hon. Josephine Alcantara signed the Declaration of Intent for WWF’s Plastic Smart Cities. WWF invites other cities in South East Asia to join these trailblazers in order to eliminate plastic pollution in the region by signing up to www.plasticsmartcities.org.

An estimated 60% of plastic marine debris from urban centers is carried to the ocean by rivers. While cities rapidly increase their populace, they must urgently adopt smart solutions that reduce the collective impact of their prospering communities. This means preventing, minimizing and managing plastic.

Through Plastic Smart Cities, WWF is building cities’ capacity to eliminate plastic pollution by 2030. An online knowledge platform with best practices will be launched at the World Urban Forum in February 2020. WWF launches a long-term campaign to reduce plastic globally through sharing innovative, tried and tested solutions for those on the front line in the fight against plastic pollution.

Vincent Kneefel, Global Cities Lead, WWF:
“With eight million metric tons of plastic entering our oceans each year, mismanaged plastic waste is profoundly threatening people and the environment, especially rivers and oceans. We are proud to launch Plastic Smart Cities today and are confident that through this initiative we can create a global movement of cities taking action to tackle plastic pollution and stop leakage into nature. Plastic Smart Cities will strengthen action when it comes to preventing, measuring, and managing plastic waste at a local level. Our goal is to promote best practices around the world and to make sure that smart measures on plastic reduction and waste management are widely shared. With strong commitments from cities, governments and industry, we can end additional plastics in nature and ensure the safety of our communities and the environment.”

Key stats on plastic pollution:

  • Eight million tonnes of plastic pollution ends up in the ocean every year.
  • Overall CO2 emissions from the plastic life cycle are expected to increase by 50%, while the CO2 increase from plastic incineration is set to triple by 2030, due to wrong waste management choices.
  • An additional 104 million metric tons of plastic is at risk of leakage into our ecosystems by 2030 without a drastic change in approach.
  • Since 2000, the world has produced as much plastic as all the preceding years combined, a third of which is leaked into nature.
  • More than 270 wildlife species have been documented as having been harmed by entanglement, while more than 240 species have been found to have ingested plastics.

 

For more information contact:

Vincent Kneefel, WWF
vkneefel@wwf.nl
+31622514465

Maureen Tan, Global Initiatives
maureen.tan@globalinitiatives.com

Nicole Lim, Global Initiatives
nicole.lim@globalinitiatives.com

 

More information about the organisers:

About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries and territories. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit www.panda.org/news for latest news and media resources and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media

About Global Initiatives
Global Initiatives is an international company based in Singapore that promotes sustainable partnership solutions to global challenges through film, media projects and public-private initiative driven events. The Responsible Business Forum (RBF) global event series helps drive sustainable industry solutions through public-private partnerships that enhance responsible business growth. Find out more at www.globalinitiatives.com

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