Marine litter is a growing issue in the Arctic and specifically in the Barents Sea, where a majority of economic activities are concentrated, leaving it particularly exposed. Studies on Arctic marine litter often focus on the European Arctic, therefore little is known about the ecological and social impact of marine litter in the Russian Arctic. Based on improving and building on existing knowledge, the overall objective of the project is to encourage regional initiatives to combat marine litter and to strengthen the environmental cooperation between Russia and Norway.
Co-funded by GRID-Arendal and the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Barents Sea Leadership Training on Marine Litter is being built on the Marine Litter UN Environment Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). To increase knowledge on marine litter and microplastic pollution in the Barents region, an in-depth UN Environment MOOC on Marine Litter in the Russian language tailored to the Barents Sea context will be delivered for the first time.
Targeting decision-makers at a federal, regional and local level, this project also designs and implements Leadership Training Workshops with the Northern Arctic Federal University in Arkhangelsk (NARFU) and the Kola Science Centre in order to raise awareness and stimulate action plans for combatting marine litter. The aim is to develop a network across the Barents region, with relevant Russian and Norwegian stakeholders, to promote the exchange of knowledge and common activities to reduce marine litter.
With the Barents Sea Leadership Training on Marine Litter, GRID-Arendal also intends on contributing to the Arctic Council’s work on developing a Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter.
