Decisions 13.122 to 13.125 - Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Aquatic, Terrestrial and Avian Species

Parties are invited to: a) submit relevant information on the implementation of Resolution 12.20 Management of Marine Debris as part of their responses to the requests made by the United Nations Environment Programme in relation to UNEA Resolution 4/6; b) encourage further research by academia, research organizations and other relevant stakeholders on the impact of plastic pollution, including microplastics, on freshwater and terrestrial CMS-listed species.

The Scientific Council is requested, subject to the availability of resources, to: a) develop a concise report summarizing the status of knowledge on the impact of plastic pollution on CMS-listed species that inhabit in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, and submit the report to the Conference of the Parties at its 14th meeting, as well as a summary of existing guidance on measures to address such threats; b) based on the report to be developed under paragraph 13.123 (a), recommend possible next steps for addressing this threat to CMS-listed species; c) collaborate with other scientific mechanisms such as those under the International Whaling Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme and other multilateral environmental agreements to exchange available scientific and other relevant data and information related to the prevention and reduction of the impact of plastics on migratory species, including the report developed under paragraphs (a) and (b).

The Secretariat shall: a) strengthen cooperation and work with the United Nations Environment Programme to ensure that the process established under UNEA Resolution 4/6 will contribute to the efforts under Resolution 12.20 Management of Marine Debris to address the impact of marine debris and plastic pollution more broadly on migratory species, in particular by supporting the ad hoc open-ended expert group to identify existing and potential response options; b) subject to the availability of resources, support the work of the Scientific Council pursuant to Decision 13.123.

Parties, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and stakeholders are encouraged to identify and mobilize financial resources to support activities and initiatives towards combating and removing accumulated marine debris in areas of high importance for migratory species on the basis of the precautionary principle.