The government of The Gambia has reached a new ‘historic milestone’ in the West African nation’s journey towards sustainable environmental management with the launch of its new National Action Plan to End Plastic Pollution.

Approved by its government cabinet earlier this year and developed in partnership with Common Seas, alongside a committee of industry experts and local stakeholders, it outlines a comprehensive roadmap to reduce plastic pollution in The Gambia by 86% over the next decade.

The launch is being held as a leading example of ambitious, locally-formed national action ahead of the final round of Global Plastics Treaty negotiations this December and arrives in the wake of recent estimations that 95 thousands tonnes of plastic will escape from The Gambia and into its waterways between now and 2033.

The Gambia is recognised as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world per square mile, boasting a rich variety of ecosystems including coastline, forests, savanna, wetlands, and mangrove forests. However, The Gambia also has a plastic problem that poses a significant threat to all of these systems. 

Using its UN-endorsed Plastic Drawdown tool, Common Seas calculated that The Gambia had generated around 23,000 tonnes of plastic waste in 2021. Of this waste, 75% was leaked in to the environment through littering, surface water runoff, and plastic escaping from landfills into the terrestrial environment, rivers, and, of course, its seas.

It’s projected that plastic waste will rise a staggering 42% by 2033 to an estimated 95,000 tonnes. The nation’s plan to cut its plastic pollution by 86% in the next decade will, therefore, be critical for the conservation of its biodiversity and ecosystems.

Key policies to be introduced through the National Action Plan to End Plastic Pollution, therefore include: enhanced bans on single-use plastic carrier bags; reducing reliance on other plastic bags such as water bags, by installing public water foundations and improving portable supply; a phased ban on single-use plastic bottles and the introduction of a deposit return scheme for all other plastic bottles; tackling ‘on-the-go’ food and drink packaging; and improving solid waste management through enhancing collections, storage, and recycling.

While small coastal developing countries like The Gambia contribute very little to global plastic production, they are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution. Many also rely on healthy oceans for their economies and wellbeing, making the impacts of climate change and nature loss particularly acute.

Hon. Rohey John Manjang, minister of the environment, climate change, and natural resources, said: “As a coastal under-developed country, The Gambia is pleased to be one of the few taking the lead in addressing a global planetary crisis (Pollution) through local actions on plastic wastes.  

“The National Action Plan on plastic pollution is intended to strengthen the existing ban on single-use plastic carrier bags, eradicating other plastic wastes, and implement strategies to gradually phase out plastics in our general waste stream.

“We are open to collaboration with every person, group, organization (local and international) in the successful implementation of this action plan for the benefit of present and future generations. 

“This is a clear manifestation of The Gambia’s highest political will and support, in the fight to mitigate against the negative effects of climate change and safeguard our environment.’’

In launching its plan, The Gambia is the latest in a growing collection of nations to have partnered with Common Seas for the development of a National Action Plan to end Plastic Pollution, joining the likes of Barbados and the Maldives in a unified, strategic effort.

The government of Barbados launched its own Action Plan in July this year centred on an ambitious target to reduce its plastic pollution by 73% over the next ten years. Like The Gambia, a Small Island Developing State such as Barbados contributes little to global plastics production but is disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution and its relation to climate change and nature loss.

This was made evident when the earliest forming Category 4 Atlantic hurricane on record hit Barbados and the surrounding region, driven by record ocean temperatures in the gulf. The impacts of climate change are already having a disproportionate impact on small island developing states in the region and plastic – which contributes to 3.4% of global emissions and is set to account for 19% by 2050 – is part of this problem.

Addressing the issue can, however, be costly and financing can often be a barrier to action for coastal developing states, which typically face few funding options for environmental initiatives than other nations. To address this issue within The Gambia, Common Seas is hosting a financing workshop to foster an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach for the successful implementation of the National Action Plan. 

With the Global Plastics Treaty set to be agreed in Busan this December, Common Seas is urging policymakers around the world to “seize the opportunity of INC-5 to ensure the unique requirements and funding needs of coastal developing countries remain a core consideration in achieving a just and ambitious treaty.”

Thais Vojvodic, director of government and business partnerships at Common Seas, said: “Common Seas is honoured to have collaborated with The Gambia’s National Environment Agency, industry experts, local businesses, and the community to co-develop a plan tailored to the country’s unique needs, including its coastal geography and tourism-driven economy.

“We now look forward to seeing all stakeholders unite to implement the recommended policies, significantly reducing plastic pollution and ensuring a healthy environment and a future freed from plastic.”

For more from our Ocean Newsroom, click here.