Brazil has a coastline that extends for 7,367 km and 2/3 of its population lives by the sea. Our economy benefits from this ecosystem through tourism, the fishing industry and oil exploration. Only 1.5% of our coast relies on some kind of protection guidelines for conservation and our waste management infrastructure does not support our increased waste generation which resulted in polluted rivers and beaches.
Exchange 4 Change Brasil and Instituto E have joined forces to launch a national initiative based on the findings of the Global Ocean Commission Report 2016 The Future of our oceans - Next steps and priorities focusing in driving a local system for ocean governance and reduction of marine litter. We believe in the great benefits that plastics can offer as a raw material to practical products and great solutions to our daily lives, but we cannot deny the fact that plastics have also become a major source of pollution and a health threat to humans and the environment when it become waste.
There is a need to increase the awareness and organize solutions oriented discussions for plastic recycling. Mission Ocean Brazil aims to attract the attention about ocean conservation and marine litter through a communication campaign, inspire new partnerships including the formation of an ocean board and a group of donors to better target their investments to close the loop on plastic waste by encouraging projects that demonstrate the value of re-using recycled resins.
We are convinced that by showing the value of the circular economy thinking and establishing a coordinated action to change the behaviour of industry and consumers, we will be able to combat marine plastics and continue to have a sustainable use of plastics without its impact on our lives and the environment.
The 3 pillars of our initiative
The project is aimed at strengthening multilateral cooperation with stakeholders at national level, as well as, international level towards practical solutions in the brazilian market following 3 components:
Forming the Brazilian ocean board
Developing circular projects
Deliver an awareness campaign and capacity building activities
Progress reports
August 2017
The Brazilian Ocean Board - The board aims to gather companies, government representatives, NGOs, academy and individuals that are keen to embrace the mission of ocean conservation and become donors and/or embassadors of the campaign. Moreover, with a strong sports culture, we have already invited local sportsmen and women to embrace the ocean cause and become ocean embassadors promoting the campaign.
December 2018
Developing circular projects - We will focus on three project themes: 1. Closed loops: demonstrate the value of products made out of recycled material either from marine litter, old fishing nets or recycled resins, 2. Performance based products: development of more durable and modular products; 3. Taxes and levies: influence government debates to avoid marine litter by creating incentives for the use of recycled material and taxes to avoid waste generation
December 2018
Awareness Campaign and capacity building activities - There are many gaps on the brazilian legislation towards the protection of the marine ecosystem and even though the National Waste Policy provides very structured guidelines for waste management, there are lack of actions and incentives for recycling and use of recycled material. A local advertising agency will be responsible to run a nation-wide campaign and together with local partners we will organize solutions oriented discussions through workshops, round tables, government lobbying and hands-on programmes such as product design workshops and beach clean ups. a) Call for action Event: The first event will be dedicated to bring the Call for Action for discussion among key brazilian stakeholders. b) Round tables and a national event: A number of round tables will be organized to discuss the topic and a large event towards marine litter will be held in conjunction with national government in 2018 c) Digital media: the awareness campaign will consist of building a social media campaign with mini videos, posts and content production
In-kind contribution
All participants of the Ocean Board are committed to participate in the events, discussion forums and contribute to the awareness campaign
Staff / Technical expertise
Dedicated people from both E4CB and Institute E will be responsible for the governance and selection of projects. Projects will be delivered by the organization involved in the Ocean Board.
Other, please specify
Governance: Some of the organizations that will form the Ocean Board would be contributing financially to the initiative either to support its governance and campaign or funding project implementation and practical solutions.
