CORDIS results pack on ocean plastic pollution

This new CORDIS Results Pack presents 12 EU-funded Horizon research projects that are helping to reduce the impact of marine litter through prevention, elimination, mitigation and monitoring, from source to sea. The Pack showcases their potential for exploitation, scale-up, replication and uptake by different stakeholders responsible for implementing measures to reduce pollution at the local and regional levels. The results will contribute to the EU’s goal of cutting plastic pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems, respecting the boundaries within which our planet can cope, thus creating a toxic-free environment. The goal of the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 is to reduce plastic litter at sea by at least 50 % and cut microplastics released into the environment by 30 %, in line with the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan. By developing, demonstrating and deploying innovative solutions, the Mission will help to prevent and eliminate pollution and protect and restore aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive aims at achieving ‘good environmental status’ of the seas, where marine litter no longer harms the environment. In addition, the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy, which forms a core part of the European Green Deal, aims to restore ocean health. The target is to protect 30 % of EU seas by 2030, including 10 % under strict protection. To meet these challenges, EU-funded researchers are investigating how plastics are transported to the ocean, sustainable biodegradable alternatives for plastic packaging, enhanced waste and wastewater management, and innovative solutions for monitoring, collecting, and degrading plastics.