China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand have pledged their commitment to reducing plastic pollution in the world’s seas at the United Nations (UN) first-ever ocean summit. The Thai government claims to have initiated a 20-year strategy to combat such pollution, Indonesia is introducing mass education about plastic waste for schoolchildren and the Philippines is formulating new laws to tackle the problem. The pledges have not yet been formalised and have been criticised as inadequate by campaigners. Nations responsible for much of the world's ocean plastic pollution have promised to start cleaning up their act. But there are signs that progress may be being made.
China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand have pledged their commitment to reducing plastic pollution in the world’s seas at the United Nations (UN) first-ever ocean summit. The Thai government claims to have initiated a 20-year strategy to combat such pollution, Indonesia is introducing mass education about plastic waste for schoolchildren and the Philippines is formulating new laws to tackle the problem. The pledges have not yet been formalised and have been criticised as inadequate by campaigners. But there are signs that progress may be being made.