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This study fills an important gap in policymaker understanding of the effectiveness and implementation costs of marine plastic cleanup technologies. Previous studies have mainly listed inventories of different plastic litter cleanup technologies, not systematically examined their cost-effectiveness. Through a survey in Europe and North America that asked for cost and cleanup capacity data, per kilogram cost figures were calculated for several categories of cleanup technologies, ranging from fixed-in-place filters in stormwater drainage systems to mobile skimmers on water. Mobile skimmers and dredgers appear to be most cost-effective. Adding performance criteria related to operational conditions and ease of use, such as energy use and economies of scale, dredgers and stormwater filters rank higher. Litter traps in drainage systems are most preferred when furthermore considering weather sensitivity and whether technologies operate standalone, making them an interesting complementary technology to skimmers and dredgers to prevent plastic litter from entering water courses. These results show how sensitive the outcome of the ranking is to the inclusion of additional operational criteria, how different categories of technologies can effectively be combined in the plastic waste supply chain, and what the cost implications are for the future upscaling of plastic litter cleanup technologies. • The cost-effectiveness of plastic cleanup technologies is not well understood. • Technologies range from fixed-in-place filters in stormwater drainage to mobile water skimmers. • In this study, water-based technologies appear to be most cost-effective. • A combination of land-based and water-based technologies is preferred when adding performance criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution of our oceans from land-based sources and shipping spills raises concerns for marine ecosystems, maritime industries and human health. This paper examines the systems and processes in place in the case of plastic pollution due to a shipping spill in the North Sea and the instruments and mechanisms to hold polluters accountable. A desk-based analysis was conducted, and 11 expert interviews contextualised the desk findings. From the 263 reported incidents from 1917 to 2021, 39 % of the reported container loss cases occurred in, or near, the North Sea. Fragmented jurisdiction, frail and uncoordinated policies, aid the shipping sector to deflect responsibility. Around 62 % of the obstacles mentioned by the interviewees addressed governance, including, notably, the lack of international measures, and regulations on shipping routes to protect sensitive areas. The study also identifies the difficulty to enforce compensation for the damage made to ecosystems and biodiversity. • 263 shipping spills were reported from 1917 to 2021 worldwide. • 39 % of reported container loss cases occurred in or near the North Sea. • Instruments to hold polluters accountable exist at multiple governance levels. • No specific regulations were found to address the case of container loss. • Enforcing compensation for damage made to biodiversity is difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although there is fierce debate about how best to evaluate the effectiveness of international regimes, most writers regard institutional effectiveness as the best measure. This article examines the institutional effectiveness of one regime—the Barcelona Convention (or the Mediterranean Action Plan)—where there are sharply contrasting views of its institutional effectiveness. The study finds that the regime was indeed successful when created, but its contemporary institutional performance is inadequate. The article demonstrates that there is no simple answer as to whether a regime is effective; instead, in most cases it depends on the specific criteria each approach employs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study examines the role of science in the operation of environmental regimes using the Barcelona Convention/Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) as a case study. The ‘epistemic communities’ theory suggests that emergence of the Mediterranean Action Plan was largely driven by scientific experts. In order to test the hypothesis that this theory also explains the operation of the regime, we used three methods of analysis. Firstly, we attempted statistical analysis of environmental data available from MED POL, secondly we analysed policy documents prepared by MAP including meeting documents and scientific publications and finally we conducted interviews with scientists. We found that the scientific epistemic community theory is appropriate to explain the formation of MAP, but it cannot account for its current operation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study reviews existing legal, institutional and policy tools and frameworks, relevant to the introduction and adoption of new marine litter clean-up technologies in two regional European seas, the Mediterranean and the Baltic. A combination of desk studies in six countries bordering the Baltic (Estonia, Germany, Sweden) and the Mediterranean (Greece, Italy, Tunisia), and interviews with experts and stakeholders, is used to identify key drivers and barriers to the adoption and diffusion of marine litter technologies. The main conclusion of the study is that the most influential pieces of legislation relevant to marine litter management are top-down EU policies, often forming the basis of regional and national plans. Moreover, the study finds that several drivers of marine litter technologies may at the same time be critical barriers. These factors include public awareness, consumer behaviour, enforcement of legislation, and the rise of SMEs engaged in recycling and eco-labelling of marine litter. • Existing legal and policy frameworks for marine litter management are analysed. • Marine litter management in European seas is based on post-pollution remedies. • European legislation and Regional Action Plans are key drivers. • Lack of financial resources is a barrier to adopt marine litter technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]