OSPAR meaning

Plastic waste—the problem Across the globe, awareness of the issues linked to plastic and plastic waste is growing, especially in the marine environment, alongside a clearer grasp of how plastics break down and leach into nature. Plastic waste seldom decomposes; it can remain for centuries in landfill, or become litter in the natural world, which then contaminates soils, rivers and oceans, and harms the wildlife that lives there. There is also mounting evidence that microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres) negatively affect the health of humans and animals. In March 2024, the House of Commons published a research briefing on plastic waste. Within it, the climate and resources charity WRAP notes that about two-thirds of all plastic packaging originates from consumer goods, with plastic bottles the largest single source. An estimated 73% of plastic bottles produced in 2020/21 were collected from households for recycling. Of the plastics present in the marine environment, single use items and household items including drinks bottles, caps...

Marine Protected Areas Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are sea zones created to safeguard habitats, species and the natural processes vital for resilient, well‑functioning marine ecosystems. Their role is to protect and help recover rare, threatened and noteworthy habitats and species from harm arising from human activity. In England, MPAs are designated for specific habitats or species (often called ‘features’) and carry conservation objectives that set out the outcomes each site is intended to achieve. Much UK policy and legislation on plastics and plastic pollution is likewise aimed at protecting the marine environment. For more information, see Practice Note: Waste types and controls—plastics. There are roughly 180 MPAs in English waters, covering about 50% of inshore and 37% of offshore waters. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the statutory adviser to the UK Government and devolved administrations, provides an interactive map showing all MPAs across UK waters. Legislation and policy The MPA network in England and Wales gives designated protection to the marine environment and is derived...

Oversight of UK decommissioning policy and its delivery sits with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Formed on 7 February 2023, DESNZ assumed the energy remit of the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which has now been dissolved, including its responsibilities for decommissioning. Any mention of ‘BEIS’ in this practice note refers to the department’s former functions. Although the UK issues policy documents, a substantial portion of the regime is driven by the UK’s commitments under international law. International Law—installations The 1958 Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf (Geneva Convention) was the first treaty to set out the law of the sea, and it remains the only convention that expressly mentions the ‘removal’ of installations. The United Kingdom gave effect to the Convention domestically in 1964 through the Continental Shelf Act 1964 (CSA 1964), which vested in the Crown all rights exercisable in designated areas beyond territorial waters concerning the seabed and subsoil in those zones. Today, two core international conventions...