Clean Nordic Oceans was established as a network to exchange knowledge and experience of methods and measures that can reduce the risk of ghost fishing and marine litter, and increase proper disposal and recycling of commercial and recreational fishing gear. All Nordic countries have participated in the network. Through a dedicated website (www.cnogear.org), workshops, seminars, conferences, films and social media, this project has helped to establish contacts both inside and outside the Nordic region, which can help reduce the challenges of marine litter from fishing activities. Among the numerous important findings that have been made over the course of the project, the report points out that fishermen in all the Nordic countries lack sufficient awareness of how they can and should contribute to a cleaner ocean. The report proposes a number of possible measures. Some of the measures may be suitable for all countries, but in general, there is no “one size fits all” solution.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2020-509/ Abstract [en] Clean Nordic Oceans was established as a network to exchange knowledge and experience of methods and measures that can reduce the risk of ghost fishing and marine litter, and increase proper disposal and recycling of commercial and recreational fishing gear. All Nordic countries have participated in the network. Through a dedicated website (www.cnogear.org), workshops, seminars, conferences, films and social media, this project has helped to establish contacts both inside and outside the Nordic region, which can help reduce the challenges of marine litter from fishing activities. Among the numerous important findings that have been made over the course of the project, the report points out that fishermen in all the Nordic countries lack sufficient awareness of how they can and should contribute to a cleaner ocean. The report proposes a number of possible measures. Some of the measures may be suitable for all countries, but in general, there is no “one size fits all” solution.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-544/ Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans is one of modern times biggest challenges. NGOs and volunteers all over the Nordics are fighting marine litter through organised clean-up actions. This project was designed to assist NGOs in the Nordic small states in their participation of combating marine litter. The report is giving an insight to the interconnectedness between Nordic states working with marine litter and consists of extensive information collected from the four small island states to facilitate an exchange of knowledge between them. The information was collected during workshops, where the main aim was to facilitate cooperation between the small island states by facilitating experience and knowledge sharing. The workshops also aimed to look at the challenges faced by the small island states and put forward short- and long-term solutions to the main challenges.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2021-727/ Our Vision 2030 seeks to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. When pursuing such an ambitious goal, it is important to monitor progress closely and regularly. The Nordic Council of Ministers commissioned Rambøll Management Consulting to draw up a baseline measurement for Our Vision and paint a picture of where the Nordic Region stands now. While the report shows that the foundations for the work are solid and progress generally good, it also identifies a number of challenges and points out where there is room for improvement, especially in terms of the green transition.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-519/ States are on the brink to start negotiations on a global agreement on plastic pollution. In this context, scientists, policymakers and stakeholders voiced requests for strengthening and improving the knowledge base. These requests often include demands for a scientific advisory mechanism or body that operates as two-way interface between science and policy and that informs policy- and decision-making in the global combat against plastic waste in the oceans and the need for a life cycle approach to marine plastic pollution that covers all stages in the plastics life cycle. The report makes the case for a global scientific mechanism on marine litter and microplastics and discusses the conditions to make it work effectively and to enable it to strengthen the global science and knowledge base on marine litter and microplastics.

Abstract: Marine litter is a global environmental problem that endangers wildlife and has great socio-economic and aesthetic impacts. To identify sources of marine litter is an important key in order to propose cost-effective measures. Pick analyses of beach litter have therefore been conducted in order to categorise litter items from a product perspective. The results confirm that plastic are the most common litter material found on beaches in the Nordic countries. Short life items and packaging are dominating, which is strongly linked to individual consumers. It is further concluded that the plastics and packaging industry has an important role to play to decrease the amount of marine litter

The Nordic programme on a sustainable approach to plastics is a strategic tool for developing knowledge and measures, as well as enhancing synergies, networks and awareness at the Nordic level. The programme will support the ambitions of the Nordic countries in reaching their goals in relation to prevention of plastic waste, re-use and recycling of plastics, circular economy and minimizing marine plastic litter and microplastics. The program runs over 2017-18 and will be implemented through various projects and activities within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers or projects financed by the Nordic Council of Minister.