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Sweden supports new efforts to reduce ocean pollution in Mozambique

Every minute, plastic waste equivalent to one full garbage truck is being dumped into the world’s oceans. In Mozambique, it is estimated that about 2.5 million tons of municipal solid waste is generated per year, 10% of that is plastic waste. But the problem is not plastic itself, it’s what we do with it after its use.

Sweden has lbeen a longtime advocator for the protection and preservation of our oceans. It is in line with its commitment to agenda 2030 that Sweden is supporting a new 3-year global initiative on MARPLASTICS or Marine plastics and Coastal Communities in Mozambique. The Swedish contribution to this initiative is USD 21 million.

This is a joint programme by IUCN and the Government of Mozambique that aims to reduce plastic waste pollution in Beira and Pemba, two regions severely affected by it. The project involves cleaning of the oceans and working closely with local authorities to strengthen policies and make them more comprehensive in the management of plastic waste pollution in the ocean.

About 40 local environmental protection institutions and organisations presented proposals on how to tackle this problem in Mozambique at the launch of the inception phase of the programme held last week in Maputo.

Last updated 12 Sep 2018, 6.00 PM