SOS2020 Theme: Wasting less plastic and keeping it out of the ocean – Has the needle moved?

Tackling plastic pollution and marine litter requires a multi-stakeholder value chain and source-to-sea approaches. SOS2020 will discuss how far we have travelled in our efforts of wasting less plastic, and if the plethora of actions is achieving the desired impact on plastic pollution and marine litter. 

The programme will be developed[1] to address issues such as:

1. The Plastic Pandemic: Is less plastic waste even possible during COVID-19?

With COVID-19, fear of contamination, a surge in the use of masks and single-use plastic, weak demand for recycled plastics and the current low oil values driving down prime plastic prices has upended many efforts to reduce plastic waste and marine litter.  Sessions will address what government action, legislation, and additional financial motivation for markets to use recycled material and incorporate recycled contents to other polymers are needed to counteract and address this issue. 

2. Aligning science and research for policy and management use

Notwithstanding the progress made in development of policies, more granularity is needed for science and research to enable better policy perspectives and guide management planning and action. Focusing scientific effort can provide a driving force for better integration of policy measures and implementation, and for enabling commitment to greater ambitions and shared actions from organizations.

 3. Market perceptions and incentives to action

A recent survey among consumers and businesses offer insight that can support action across government and private sector. Key areas where accelerated government action is considered most critical include: mandating waste segregation, enhancing collection systems, ensuring consistent labelling for product recycling, and imposing littering fines and charges. Discussions will focus on how these gaps in market perceptions and reality might be bridged to enable plastic value chain transformation with targeted incentives. This shift would require government incentives and a new approach from industry and investors.

 4. Transformation through National and Local Action

Inter-linkages between regional, national, and local marine litter plans occur at different levels and succeed with the active participation of various sectors and stakeholders.  The sessions under this theme will also cover the working technologies and processes and their practical uses. 

5. Technologies and innovation for community action

Innovative approaches using technology, data applications, and social and integrated media for awareness and outreach can generate opportunities for communities and local governments in the management of waste, the provision of livelihoods, and the protection of their environments. Unlikely partnerships and collaboration create effective cross learning and knowledge sharing opportunities that can scale and create real impact.

 6. Pledges that count: Tracking the SOS2019 commitments and Collaborating on new ones

A stocktake of the actions and the commitments to less plastic wasted made by representatives from government, business, community groups and civil society will be shared in this year’s Voices session.  SOS2020 will aim to elevate the discussions and lift the bar on advancing pledges and escalating action by an even larger constituency of stakeholders.

For interest to host a session, exhibition, or a side event, please contact sea-of-solutions@un.org

[1] The programme and individual sessions will be developed with invited partners. Separate guidance will be provided.

SOS2020 Programme Design

SOS2020 will include plenary as well as parallel sessions, an online exhibition space, and a side event stage. The programme will be designed to encourage audience participation, including through discussion sessions, use of polls and other creative tools.

 

Sessions

SOS2020 will include ten (10) interlinked sessions to generate insights and identify solutions. These sessions will consider (1) COVID-19 impacts, responses and solutions, (2) challenges and solutions for recycling and monetizing waste, and (3) transformative policies for effective action.
Session formats include TED-style presentations, dialogues (moderator interviewing experts or persons of interest), and three to four-person panel discussions. Sessions will be 60 minutes long, with time of at least 20 minutes for audience participation including through Q&A, polls, and use of other creative tools.

Lightning Talks

Short, pre-recorded presentations (c 5-8 minutes) available on demand will provide introductory or background information on key concepts and topics that will be tackled during SOS2020. Lightning talks may address, for example, AI for monitoring, harmonizing plastic accounting standards, plastic credits 101, what are good commitments? etc.
Speakers of lightning talks will be available for scheduled meetings during SOS2020. Some lightning talks may also be selected for screening as part of SOS2020 sessions.

Side Events

Events relevant to the SOS2020 theme and objectives, organized by external partners will be held at a dedicated virtual side event stage.

If your organization is interested to propose a session, submit a ‘lighting talk’ or organize a side event, please use the attached form and submit to sea-of-solutions@un.org by 26 October 2020.

Digital Exhibition Booth

Exhibition booths will showcase solutions that are already contributing to plastic pollution and marine litter prevention. SOS2020 participants can “walk in”, access information on demand, and interact with exhibition booth hosts. Features of exhibition booths include images, videos, digital brochures and other content, as well as space for bilateral discussions and networking.

Interested in exhibiting? Please use the attached form and submit to sea-of-solutions@un.org by 26 October 2020.