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The Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, agreed under the Japanese G20 presidency in 2019, voluntarily commits G20 countries to "reduce additional pollution by marine plastic litter to zero by 2050 through a comprehensive life-cycle approach", thereby ensuring by 2050, the net volume of plastic entering the ocean is zero. This UN Environment Programme International Resource Panel 'think piece' was commissioned by the Government of Japan, on behalf of the G20, to qualitatively consider possible policy options to achieve this goal. The International Resource Panel is an independent Panel hosted by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) created in 2007 to contribute to a better understanding of sustainable development from a natural resource perspective. In this study, the International Resource Panel worked in partnership with the Government of Japan, SYSTEMIQ, and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Modelling undertaken by the Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ (2020) in "Breaking the Plastic Wave" shows that, through an ambitious combination of interventions using known technology and approaches (called the System Change Scenario), marine plastic litter entering the ocean can be reduced by 82 percent compared to business as usual by 2040. Through an iterative process including representatives from the plastics industry, researchers, civil society, governments and intergovernmental bodies, policy options to achieve the system change scenario were identified. These were assessed to consider the possible contribution towards delivering the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and networks of MPAs are being implemented globally as a spatial management tool for achieving conservation objectives. There has been considerable progress in reaching the prescribed 10% protected area target for 2020, outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity Aichi Target 11 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14.The application of MPA network design principles (e.g. Representative, ecological connectivity), which underpin ecological coherence, is still lacking or insufficient in many regions. Poor ecological coherence hinders the ecological performance of MPA networks, leading to dysfunction in the flow of ecosystem services and reduced ecosystem benefits, with potentially negative consequences for human well‐being.This paper presents four pivotal focus points for future progress that can bridge the gap between ecological and social systems. The aim is to shift the discourse of ‘ecological coherence’ further into the social sphere, and hence support the alignment of the process of designating ecologically coherent MPA networks with the ‘triple bottom line’ of economic development, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion, as described in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to achieve social–ecological coherence in MPA network design.

The ‘Study on International Best Practices for Cross-Border MSP’ has been designed to assist the European Commission (EC) and Member States in the implementation of the MSP Directive through the identification of good practices of MSP, with a particular focus on cross-border cooperation; and to elaborate recommendations that can support the promotion and exchange of MSP at the international level, relevant to the implementation of the EC International Ocean Governance Agenda. Over the last few years, an increasing number of nations have begun to implement MSP at various scales, from local initiatives to transnational efforts, motivated by opportunities for new maritime industries, the reversal of negative environmental trends and the improved coordination of sectors among others. In Europe, the European Directive to establish a framework for MSP (the “MSP Directive”) is considered as a step forward in the adoption of MSP principles and good practices by EU Member States. This directive can support not only a more efficient sustainable development of marine and coastal resources, but also strengthen cross-border cooperation, and therefore improve ocean governance. This study has centred its work on four main objectives or phases: Firstly, the review of existing guidance and MSP processes, and compilation of a detailed inventory of MSP implementation outside the EU, the Study’s ‘Global MSP Inventory’, 1 which provides a description of MSP processes and identifies common practice, including approaches to cross-border cooperation. Secondly, an in-depth comparative analysis of four case studies of MSP implementation,2 including literature review, site visits and key informant interviews, that identifies lessons learned in MSP, and good practices in support of cross-border cooperation. Thirdly, the formulation of recommendations on the international exchange of MSP, including recommendations on the application of MSP in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). Fourthly, the presentation of preliminary findings at the 2nd International MSP Conference (March 2017, Paris), partly coordinated and supported by the Study team. Published Reporting on the Service Contract: EASME/EMFF/2014/1.3.1.8/SI2.714082: Study on international best practices for cross-border Maritime Spatial Planning Refereed Current SDG14.5 Best Practice Guide

Globally, sea levels have risen in the last century, and various projections suggest substantial increases in sea level due to climate change in this century. In Nigeria, there are no up-to-date sea level rise (SLR) assessments for the coast. Much of the Nigerian coast is low lying with the consequence that a 1 to 3 metres rise in sea level, which may result from eustatic or climate change, will have a catastrophic effect on the human activities in these regions. This study examines the consequences of continued sea level rise with a focus on erosion and inundation for the Nigerian coast and considers the coastal management practices of coastal partnerships (CPs). The Nigerian coast has been delineated according to distinct geomorphological units, which include the Barrier, Mud, Delta and Strand coasts. The Bruun model has been used to compute shoreline recession along the Nigerian coast with the exception of the Mud coast. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to develop inundation models and examine the impact scenarios that SLR will have on critical elements, which include land, population, economic activity (Gross Domestic Product), urban extent, agriculture and wetlands with the aid of high quality spatially disaggregated global data. A case study approach was used to assess the management practices of Pro-Natural International Nigeria; Niger Delta Wetland Centre, Niger Delta Development Commission; and Flood Erosion and Coastal Zone Management, Rivers State with the aid of a suite of systemic sustainability appraisal indices. Results indicate that shoreline recession will be mild along the coast while substantial loss due to inundation of the critical elements is expected for all the scenarios considered. The sustainability assessment indicates that the CPs did not meet the required standard for sustainability, however there was evidence of constructive management in some of them. This study has been able to provide up-to-date baseline data concerning the vulnerability of the coast to SLR for the four coastal systems in Nigeria. The coastal sustainability assessment, which is the first ever in Nigeria, reflects the need for corrective measures in the management practices of the CPs to achieve a sustainable coast in the light of coastal hazards.