Let’s Save the Rivers and the Sea RCE Okayama

This project provides citizens with learning opportunities through litter pickup experiences. They learn about the relevance of environmental conservation, the marine litter problem and its impact on communities, and the city’s countermeasures. It also encourages them to change their environmental behavior and take action for litter reduction and marine protection. The following learning aspects are incorporated into this project:

Table. Learning Aspects

At the G20 Summit held in Japan in 2019, the “G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter” was endorsed by the members, and the Japanese government introduced the “National Action Plan for Marine Plastic Litter.” In response to the growing momentum at the national and global levels and the increasing number of activities by local stakeholders, the Okayama ESD Promotion Commission established the Expert Committee on SDGs Project on Marine Environment and initiated this project in 2021. Additionally, Okayama City developed the “Okayama City Action Plan for Marine Plastic Waste” in 2022, which incorporated collaboration with the Expert Committee and the implementation of this project.

The Okayama ESD Promotion Commission has expanded this project beyond the local area. At the forums, the Commission invites NPOs, schools, and businesses from outside the area to share their experiences and join the discussions. Additionally, Okayama City, in cooperation with the existing network of neighboring local municipalities, holds exhibitions to showcase the efforts of each municipality. They conduct litter pickup activities in each area simultaneously to scale up the results of this project.

Evaluation method includes questionnaires and essay writing.

The problem of marine debris is now well known among citizens at all levels, thanks to news coverage and publicity by the city and the network. Citizens’ cleanup activities have become more stable and sustainable with the city’s subsidies or sponsorship. Additionally, positive actions and new cooperative relationships among participants have emerged. For example, one environmental organization formed a new committee of students, who had previously been participants and learners, to take the lead in litter pickup activities. One local media outlet started a marine litter reduction campaign, actively covering related stories, and organized large-scale marine litter cleanup activities and workshops in cooperation with other stakeholders.

Actions to Take:

Cooperation among various sectors is essential to address common regional challenges. In 2005, Okayama City created a network of various stakeholders, the Okayama ESD Promotion Commission, to develop human resources for building a sustainable society. The Commission started with 19 member organizations and has now grown to include about 380 organizations, comprising citizens’ groups, businesses, media, educational institutions, Kominkans, and municipality offices. The Okayama City Office, acting as a secretariat, has provided both human and financial support to the Commission. The Commission conducts a series of ESD and SDGs activities under the name “The Okayama ESD Project,” including this marine environment project.

Additionally, Okayama City promotes this project in cooperation with neighboring municipalities, particularly through the network “Okayama Core Regional Urban Area,” which was established by 13 municipalities in 2017 to collaborate on regional revitalization.

About “The Okayama ESD Project” in Okayama City’s website:

https://www.city.okayama.jp/kurashi/category/1-9-9-8-0-0-0-0-0-0.html　

Okayama City Office’s website solely dedicated to SDGs and ESD (in Japanese; for English and different languages, please choose one at the auto-translation box):

https://www.city.okayama.jp/sdgs-esd/category/17-4-2-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html

Okayama City Office’s website solely dedicated to marine litter problem (in Japanese; for English and different languages, please choose one at the auto-translation box):

https://www.city.okayama.jp/harmonia/category/23-4-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html

[INFOGRAPHICS]

• Organization Chart of the Okayama ESD Promotion Commission
• Maps of Japan/ Seto Inland Sea/ Okayama
• The Chart of Litter Inflow and Outflow in the Seto Inland Sea

[REFERENCES]

1. Fujieda et al. (2010) and Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan survey (2007).  Cited from The Nippon Foundation / Setouchi Oceans X website.

[IMAGES]

Image file name	Image caption	Image credit/source
	Citizens Learning at Litter Pickup Event in Okayama
	Citizens Separating Garbage at Litter Pickup Event in Okayama
	City Mayor (second from left) Joining Litter Pickup Event in Okayama