ONE WORLD ONE OCEAN - In the role of guardians of your geographical regions, there is also a responsibility to develop the blue economy for the international circular economies that a sustainable society requires if we are not to burn planet earth out. The Cleaner Ocean Foundation is totally independent of any Government or Non-Governmental organization. Our Foundation did not qualify for funding grants when it mattered most. Making applications for such funding is onerous, time and money sapping and ultimately, only the big corporations get a look in. Social and not for profit enterprise remains unsupported, except by contributions directly from the public. That has been our experience to date. We are though pleased to learn that the G7 are injecting funds where they can in the hope of attracting ideas. If this plan works, we can take a back seat and rest easy. So please apply if you have the backing to do so.

Plastic waste in the oceans is a global problem that requires global solutions. By adopting the Ocean Plastics Charter, Canada is committing to reduce its plastic waste. Canada launched the Charter at the June 2018 Leaders Summit in Charlevoix during its G7 presidency. Canada continues this leadership role by encouraging countries and companies to adopt the Charter and reduce their plastic waste.

This is, or was, a stunning change in policy direction, to be applauded for the concept, that the oceans should be treated as sacred, or at least respected at a high level. And yet, with all of these actors working together, plastic is on the increase!

Ocean plastic continues to rise because global production is increasing and current policies focus on waste management rather than innovation or production limits. The G7 has now committed to ending new plastic pollution by 2040, and the UN is running plastics‑innovation programmes (United Nations Development Programme+1) but these frameworks still do not provide the funding, procurement pathways, or risk‑sharing mechanisms needed for start‑ups like SeaVax to succeed. To reverse this, the G7 and partners would need to shift from voluntary charters to binding innovation mandates, create dedicated funding pipelines, and treat ocean cleanup as critical infrastructure, not a charity project.

Since its launch in 2018, almost 30 governments and over 70 businesses and organizations have adopted this Charter. Partners are listed on the Ocean Plastics Charter website.

WHITE PAPER: INNOVATION BARRIERS IN OCEAN PLASTIC MITIGATION

A Policy Proposal for Enabling Breakthrough Marine Technologies - Using the SeaVax Programme as a Case Study

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Despite global commitments to reduce marine plastic pollution — including the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter and ongoing UN treaty negotiations — ocean plastic levels continue to rise. This White Paper identifies the structural barriers preventing the development and deployment of innovative ocean‑cleanup technologies, using the SeaVax autonomous filtration vessel (2015–2020) as a leading example.

SeaVax was a UK‑originated concept for a fleet of 300 solar‑powered, autonomous ocean‑sweeping vessels capable of intercepting plastic waste at river mouths and coastal hotspots. Despite strong public support and clear alignment with global environmental goals, SeaVax failed to secure funding from:

1. Three EU Horizon applications

2. One Innovate UK application

3. Five years of direct engagement with the G7 and United Nations

This failure was not due to lack of merit, but due to systemic policy and funding barriers that continue to prevent innovators from contributing to global ocean‑health solutions. Policy makers should recognise that applications are very costly and time consuming, absorbing considerable (would-be) development time. Thus, red-tape should be cut to the minimum.

This White Paper proposes a new policy framework to enable the G7, EU, and UN to support marine‑cleanup innovation effectively, ensuring that future technologies do not face the same obstacles.


1. THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM

Ocean plastic pollution is increasing because: Global plastic production continues to rise. Only 9% of plastic is recycled worldwide, and waste‑management systems in many regions are inadequate. Additionally, there are No binding global treaty currently mandates cleanup or innovation.

Voluntary charters (e.g., G7 Ocean Plastics Charter) lack enforcement mechanisms, and Innovation funding is fragmented, risk‑averse, and inaccessible to early‑stage technologies. As a result, the world remains locked in a cycle where plastic production outpaces mitigation, and innovators are unable to scale solutions.


2. CASE STUDY: SeaVax and SeaNet (2015–2020)

SeaVax was designed as a solar‑powered, autonomous ocean filtration vessel, capable of removing microplastics and macroplastics from the open ocean, to include ghost fishing net processing capability. It was scalable into a global fleet (“SeaNet”), and deployable at river mouths, estuaries, and coastal hotspots. The project was a non‑profit, humanitarian‑environmental technology. Despite its potential, SeaVax encountered the following barriers:

2.1 Funding Barriers

How was it that SeaVax was rejected by three EU Horizon 2020 calls, despite meeting eligibility criteria? Rejected by Innovate UK, despite alignment with UK marine‑innovation priorities? 

There was no access to venture capital due to lack of government procurement guarantees, and SeaVax being not for profit, would need an income for harvesting plastic, of which there is none. I.e. no business plan was/is possible.

There is no mechanism for “mission‑driven” environmental innovation funding.

2.2 Policy Barriers

There is No international mandate requiring cleanup technologies. The G7 Ocean Plastics Charter emphasised recycling, not cleanup. In addition, there is No regulatory sandbox for autonomous marine vessels. Hence, No pathway for pilot deployment in international waters.

2.3 Structural Barriers

Start‑ups cannot compete with large corporations for grants and risk‑averse evaluators penalise unproven technologies. This is layered with a lack of global coordination for marine‑cleanup innovation, and No procurement mechanism to guarantee, or at least allow market adoption consideration. 

2.4 Consequence

SeaVax was shelved in 2020, despite public support, and being technical feasible. Despite a clear environmental need. The designers built a scalable operational model that they could not develop. This represents a lost opportunity for the G7, UK, the EU, and the global community.

3. INNOVATION BARRIERS IDENTIFIED

3.1 Lack of Binding International Frameworks. 

Without a global plastics treaty, governments are not obligated to fund cleanup technologies.

3.2 Fragmented Funding Landscape

Environmental innovation funding is scattered across:

- EU Horizon
- Innovate UK
- National research councils
- Philanthropic organisations

None of these bodies have a mandate to fund large‑scale marine cleanup.

3.3 No Procurement Guarantees

Start‑ups cannot scale without Government purchase agreements, leasing frameworks, or public‑private partnerships

3.4 Regulatory Barriers

Autonomous vessels face Maritime safety restrictions, Insurance barriers, Lack of test zones and (at present) No international standards. A SeaVax like concept was an ideal testbed.

3.5 Risk‑Aversion in Grant Evaluation

Evaluators favour: Incremental improvements, low‑risk projects and Academic‑led research,  over high‑impact, high‑reward innovation.

4. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

To unlock innovation and enable the G7 to meet its 2040 zero‑plastic‑pollution goal, the following reforms are proposed.

4.1 Establish a G7 “Ocean Innovation Fund”

A dedicated fund to support: to allow testing of Autonomous cleanup vessels, River‑interception systems, AI‑driven marine monitoring. This safety net, should proceed alongside development of Biodegradable materials, and other Circular‑economy technologies.

Funding should include: Grants to kick-start budding projects, to at least a medium size demonstration stage, with Low‑interest loans and Matching funds, thereafter, with Procurement guarantees.

4.2 Create a UN “Marine Innovation Track”

Under the UNDP or UNEP plastics programme: an innovation track should support pilot fleets, to provide international legitimacy, facilitate cross‑border deployment and coordinate global data collection.

4.3 Introduce Procurement Guarantees

Governments should commit to: Purchasing successful prototypes, or, leasing vessels for coastal cleanup. With funding pilot deployments in high‑leakage regions, to transform ocean cleanup into a viable market.

4.4 Establish Marine Innovation Sandboxes

Regulatory test zones should be introduced for: Autonomous vessels, AI‑driven monitoring, and novel filtration systems. This will reduce regulatory friction and accelerate deployment.

4.5 Mandate Innovation Funding in the Global Plastics Treaty

The treaty should include:

- A global innovation fund
- Obligations for nations to support cleanup technologies
- A mechanism for certifying new technologies
- A requirement for national “plastic leakage response plans”

4.6 Recognise Ocean Cleanup as Critical Infrastructure

This will allow: Infrastructure budgets, with Green Bonds and Public‑private partnerships, with long‑term investment cycles.

5. CONCLUSION

The failure to support SeaVax was not an isolated incident — it is a symptom of systemic barriers that prevent innovators from contributing to global environmental goals. If the G7, EU, and UN wish to achieve a cleaner ocean, they must reform the structures that currently exclude the very technologies capable of delivering that future.

This White Paper provides a roadmap for enabling innovation, reducing risk, and unlocking the full potential of marine‑cleanup technologies. Please note: this 'White Paper' is not part of the G7's ocean plastic charter. It is an independent review of the past 10 years, during which ocean plastic has increased unfettered.



CANADA'S G7 OBJECTIVE

The Ocean Plastics Charter aims to bring together leading countries, sub-national governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to commit to a more resource efficient and sustainable approach to keep plastics in the economy, and out of the environment.

KEY ELEMENTS

By adopting the Charter, partners commit to take action, notably through policy measures on:

- sustainable design, production and after-use markets;
- collection and management systems and infrastructures;
- sustainable lifestyles and education;
- research, innovation and new technologies; and
- coastal and shoreline.


EXPECTED RESULTS

The ultimate objective of the Charter is to ensure that plastics are designed for repair, reuse, recycling, and are recovered at end-of-life to prevent waste and pollution.

By working with industry and governments, partners notably aim to increase recycled content by at least 50% in plastic products; to recycle and reuse at least 55% of plastic packaging; and to move towards 100% reusable, recyclable, or recoverable plastics, by 2030. By 2040, parties aim to recover 100% of all plastics.

Partners are invited to report on their progress in implementing the Charter through their own reporting processes and mechanisms.


CANADA'S INVOLVEMENT

The Ocean Plastics Charter is important for Canada because oceans play a critical role in regulating the global climate system and because their health, including the communities that depend on them, is at risk due to stressors such as climate change and marine plastic pollution.

In 2018, Canada committed CAD$100 million to achieve the objectives of the Charter, including:

- $65 million for plastic waste management and infrastructure in developing countries through the World Bank’s PROBLUE Fund;
- $20 million to support the G7 Innovation Challenge to Address Marine Plastic Litter, which supports new solutions and technologies worldwide that will address plastic waste at all stages of the lifecycle in developing countries;
- $6 million for innovative private-public partnerships through the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastics Action Partnership to support national action plans in developing countries on marine litter and public waste; and
- $9 million to support the development of inclusive and sustainable waste management systems in developing countries through the Incubator Network.

Internationally, Canada is also actively engaged in the development of an international agreement to address plastic pollution. At the resumed Fifth Meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in March 2022, countries came together and agreed to launch an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) with the ambitious mandate to develop an international legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, by 2024. Canada is proud to have worked tirelessly in advance of, and during UNEA-5.2 to help deliver this historic outcome, both as one of the co-facilitators guiding the negotiations, and in our national capacity. Canada’s experience and reputation as a trusted voice in multilateral fora means that we will continue to seek opportunities to demonstrate leadership and play a key role as the negotiations towards an agreement continue.

Domestically, the Government of Canada has adopted a comprehensive approach to meet its target of zero plastic waste by 2030. Important aspects of our agenda include investing in research through Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda, in innovation through the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges, and in community action through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative. We are working in partnership with organizations and industries to develop solutions to reduce waste in the first place, and increase the recovery of waste plastics in Canada. In collaboration with the provincial and territorial governments, we are also working to ensure producers are responsible for the waste their products generate. Our aim is to work with all sectors of the economy, including packaging, textiles, electronics, construction materials, automotive and others, to keep plastics in the economy and out of the environment. According to their website, you can follow their actions at: www.Canada.ca/Zero-Plastic-Waste.

On June 20, 2022, the Government announced the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations. These Regulations will prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of six categories of single-use plastics. The Regulations will begin to come into force in December 2022.


RESULTS - PROGRESS

ACTIVITIES

Since its launch in June 2018, the Charter has been at the centre of several events.

At the G7 Environment Ministerial Meeting in September 2018, as a first step in meeting its Charter commitments, Canada committed to reduce plastic waste from federal government operations by at least 75% by 2030.

In November 2018, during the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, Canada and Kenya co-hosted a side event on Building the Global Momentum on Marine/Aquatic Plastics Litter to promote the Charter.

In March 2019, during the fourth meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly, the two countries also co-organized a side event on Strengthening the Global Momentum to Tackle Plastic Pollution.
Results

First adopted by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the European Union after the G7 Charlevoix Summit in 2018, the Charter now has almost 30 governments and over 70 company and organization endorsees.

Charter endorsees are encouraged to implement the objectives and commitments in the Charter within their respective jurisdictions and area of influence.

PARTNERS

Partners are invited to implement the objectives and commitments of the Charter within their respective jurisdictions and area of influence. They are also invited to report on their progress in implementing the Charter through their own reporting processes and mechanisms.

GOVERNMENTS

*New

Canada
European Union
France
Germany
Italy
United Kingdom
Jamaica
Kenya
Mexico
Norway
Marshall Islands
Netherlands
Senegal
Nauru
Palau
Cabo Verde
Myanmar
Samoa
Costa Rica
Monaco
Fiji
Peru
Rwanda
Finland
Chile
Panama
Belgium
*Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

GLOBAL PARTNERS

*New

IKEA
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Nestle
PepsiCo
Plastics Oceans International
The Coca-Cola Company
Unilever
Volvo Car Group
Walmart

CANADIAN PARTNERS

*New

A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.
BASF Canada
Clean Foundation
Develop Nova Scotia
Earth Rangers
Enerkem
Great Sea Project
Keurig Dr Pepper Canada
Loop Industries Inc.
Ocean Wise
Oceans North
Organic Ocean Seafood
Schad Foundation
Sitka Foundation
Students on Ice
The Tare Shop
Ocean Legacy Foundation
*Merinov

REGIONAL PARTNERS

*New

ACME Containers Limited
African Institute at the University of Lagos
BIDCO Africa Limited
BioCellection
*Biodegradable Future
Capwell Industries LTD
Coca Cola Beverages Africa-Kenya
Cooper K Brands LTD
Dunia Designs
General Plastics
General Printers Limited
Global Initiatives
Greenplast International LTD
Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM)
Kenya Association of Tour Operators
KEPSA/Sustainable Inclusive Business

Kevian Kenya Ltd
Kibra Green
*Kind Human Solutions
Mayers Natural Spring Water - Kenya
Melvin Marsh International Limited
One More Generation
OneLessStraw
ONG PAGE VERTE
Packaging Industries Limited
Pan African Vision for the Environment
PETCO Kenya
Plastic Energy
Polyflex Industries Limited
Precovery Labs
Pride Industries Limited
Prowave
PyroCore ltd

RecycleGO
RICE A/S
Scrumptious Eats Kenya
Sea Going Green
Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund
Skanem Interlabels Nairobi Limited
Sky PLC
Stop! MicroWaste
Sunworld Safaris
Sustainable Environmental Development Watch (Suswatch)
T3 (Trash Thread Textile)
Techpak Industries Limited
Turtle Bags
Unilever East Africa
University of Nairobi
X-Calibur Construction Chemistry (EA) Ltd

MARINE PLASTIC  - The above initiative is focused on preventing source plastic from entering the sea, leaving out the fact that millions of tons remains in our oceans and that no matter how well we manage plastic on land, enough plastic to harm marine eco systems will still find its way into the stomachs of marine organisms, with the carcinogens ending up in humans. What is new about this G7 move is that awareness is now firmly on the agenda.

G7 INNOVATION CHALLENGE TO ADDRESS MARINE PLASTIC LITTER

Plastics are one of the most revolutionary inventions of the past century and play an important role in our economy and daily lives. They are used in almost everything from cars, appliances and construction to packaging and food services, because they are low cost, durable and versatile. This Challenge provides an opportunity to spur innovation while promoting both environmental well-being and economic prosperity. The Challenge will also help retain the significant value, resources and energy lost in plastic waste, as well as minimize threats to the environment.

All countries face difficulties in addressing marine plastic pollution. G7 members are well positioned to share their expertise and promote innovations that can be used elsewhere, including among countries that are large sources of marine plastic litter. This G7 challenge is designed to stimulate innovations, raise awareness of how to address marine plastic litter or facilitate much needed improvements to the management of plastic, especially plastic waste, in developing countries. Scalable solutions are needed to foster a more sustainable use of plastic products and reduce plastic waste and marine plastic pollution including technological and social innovations in plastics design and production, use, reuse, as well as management of plastic waste.

G7 members are part of a larger global community committed to addressing marine plastic pollution. We acknowledge the essential role that the private sector, innovators and entrepreneurs play in developing innovative alternatives and solutions for increasing resource efficiency and circular economy in the use of plastics and plastic products by using their expertise, knowledge, and relationships.

‘Innovation challenges’ are a recognized and effective mechanism by which solutions can be developed and implemented in an economically viable way, as well be responsive to countries’ needs and target recipients.

While respecting each participating member’s expertise and reflecting national priorities, G7 members commit to undertake international and/or domestic initiatives, individually or jointly, in support of a common objective to promote innovation in addressing marine plastic pollution by managing plastics more sustainably throughout the whole life-cycle. G7 plastic initiatives will respond to varied individual country needs accordingly. For example, domestic initiatives could focus on plastic design or recycling questions in accordance with national needs, while international efforts could respond to the need for support in improving waste management systems or creation of secondary markets. G7 members commit to sharing information their activities in support of this Challenge through the G7 Alliance on Resource Efficiency.

IN IMPLEMENTING THE CHALLENGE, THE G7 INITIATIVES WILL AIM TO:

1. Leverage, build on, and complement existing initiatives throughout the plastics lifecycle.

2. Leverage the strength of a diversity of expertise, including entrepreneurs, innovators, small to medium enterprises, researchers, not for profit organizations, and/or large multi-national companies.

3. Support gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s leadership.

4. Encourage innovative solutions that are sustainable, feasible, lasting, economically viable, and scalable (scaling up of an existing initiative; or developing new initiatives that can be scaled up through mechanisms such as blended finance) as well as reflect local and regional circumstances and gender dimensions.

5. Develop and maximize effective relationships by leveraging implementation mechanisms including international financial institutions such as the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and Asian Development Bank, as well as pursuing alternative approaches including philanthropic foundations.

The overall objective of the Challenge is to incentivize the development of innovative social or technological solutions for a more sustainable management of plastics throughout their lifecycle in order to increase resource efficiency and to reduce marine plastic pollution including by finding innovative ways to enhance waste management of plastics that may become marine litter. More specific objectives to encourage innovation could include:


PRODUCT DESIGN AND WASTE PREVENTION

- Developing new product designs and management processes to increase resource efficiency and the durability, reusability and recyclability of plastic products, in particular those that are not currently recycled.

- Supporting technologies for repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing of plastic products.
Developing processes to incorporate recycled content in local manufacturing processes and products to create markets for collected and recycled materials.

- Developing and using more sustainable plastics and environmentally sound alternatives within a context of science-based and lifecycle decision-making and in consideration of environment, social and economic factors. This may include areas of focus such as single-use plastics, packaging and other sources of marine litter.

- Developing solutions that reduce microplastics in products and reduce by design, to the extent possible, unintentional release of microplastics by wear and tear of products during their use.

- Improving production processes to minimize loss of plastic materials, including pellets and maximize resource efficiency in the use of the materials.


WASTE AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT AND CLEAN UP

- Supporting major source countries to manage waste (e.g. collection, sorting, treatment, recovery, refurbishment and recycling, disposal, infrastructure, legal frameworks) in a manner that is cost-effective and transferable in order to prevent plastics from entering the environment.

- Developing new cost-effective technologies and infrastructure to collect, recycle and treat plastic waste, including mobile and small scale technologies.

- Promoting technologies to improve collection and facilitate recycling or recovery of single-use plastics.

- Using technology to make it easier for remote and small island developing states to prevent and manage plastic waste.

- Developing new and utilizing existing technologies and processes to prevent plastic litter and microplastics entering water bodies through improved storm water and waste water management, effectively cleaning-up marine plastic litter from waterways and shorelines in an environmentally sound manner.

- Strengthening measures to prevent plastics entering the sea from fishing (including ghost gear) and shipping, and to ensure adequate reception facilities in ports to collect and manage the waste from ships and facility users (including passively fished waste and old/derelict fishing gear).

- Creating new technologies and processes or improving existing technology to recycle mixed plastic wastes.

- Developing cost-effective processes to reduce contamination during the collection and recycling process.


MARKETS, EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

- Developing business models and approaches to establishing new markets and value for used and recycled plastics to achieve environmental, social and economic benefits, including supporting local entrepreneurs in major marine plastics source countries.
- Supporting the development of markets for recycled plastics through greater use of secondary plastics into finished products.
- Creating innovative partnerships along the plastic value-chain to reduce plastic waste and plastic pellets losses.
- Supporting community-based approaches to changing behaviours towards reducing, reusing plastics, or recycling plastic wastes.
- Supporting plastic waste mitigation approaches through socially innovative solutions (e.g. education, innovative alliances, relationships, connectors, enabling conditions, etc.).
- Supporting local and indigenous solutions and initiatives of women and youth, that can be leveraged to support plastic waste mitigation approaches.
- Forging public-private partnerships to improve plastic waste management in major marine plastics source countries.
- Developing, harmonizing, and sharing methodologies for monitoring and assessing marine litter and microplastics, including their amount and distribution, as well as related environmental and human health impacts.

EXAMPLES OF IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS

- Public-private partnerships (domestic and international).
- Domestic mechanisms within each G7 member.
- Multilateral organizations efforts such as World Bank Problue – new umbrella multi-donor trust fund in support of the Bank’s Global Blue Economy Strategy through consultations with their governing bodies.
- Third party organizations –external private organizations who leads leveraged, incentivized prize competitions with ambitious goals, that target market failures, that can be won by small groups and ultimately that is achievable.