IUCN : groundbreaking research in the Arctic
To date , research has focused only on spotting and quantifying the level of microplastics in the Arctic . IUCN is one of the pioneers researching in this area , looking to establish links between multiple areas of impact . Revealing the extent of the problem through research will allow IUCN to provide policy-makers with informed scientific knowledge , thereby providing the first steps towards the mitigation of this issue .
With more than 15,000 volunteer experts in 185 countries , a vast outreach and unique convening power , IUCN has the capacity to bring together initiatives on a global scale and to foster synergies for action to tackle plastic pollution in the oceans . With specially dedicated IUCN Commissions like the Species Survival Commission ( SSC ) and the Commission on Ecosystem Management ( CEM ), IUCN is equipped with sound know-how and policy advice on conservation issues .
IUCN has been working on microplastics since 2011 , and is currently conducting expanded research in the Azores to establish a baseline for marine litter in the region . IUCN also established a stakeholder platform with a coalition of private sector , governments and NGOs to discuss and develop best practice solutions to address plastic and microplastics marine pollution .
The report “ Plastic Debris in the Ocean : The Characterization of Marine Plastics and their Environmental Impacts , Situation Analysis Report ” by F . Thevenon , C . Caroll and J . Sousa , IUCN ( 2014 ) is the most recent scoping publication on the topic of plastics and microplastics .
Global Marine & Polar Programme IUCN ( International Union for Conservation of Nature )
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