More young people around the world will be able to join the fight against plastic pollution after the UK government announced an extension of a global Scout and Girl Guides badge to create the next generation of international leaders to protect our ocean.

The badge not only encourages young people to take action to reduce plastic waste in their own lives, but also helps them become leaders in their communities to make sure that as many people as possible join the global fight to tackle the scourge of single-use plastics that is damaging our ocean.

The United Nations Environment Programme’s Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge will be extended to a further 15 countries after successfully engaging more than 30,000 Girl Guides and Scouts in West Africa. Overseen by UN Environment, the badge was developed with the support of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and partners at the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

International Marine Minister Zac Goldsmith said:

The UK is already committed to leaving the environment in a better state for the next generation, which is why it’s so important that we inspire a new generation of leaders to change behaviour towards single-use plastics.

The extension of the Tide Turners Challenge Badge will help nurture these leaders in more countries around the world as we all work to turn the tide on single-use plastic in our ocean.

The extension of the badge will see it reach nearly 300,000 young people in countries around the world, including Belize where the Commonwealth Litter Programme conference is currently taking place.

This badge is being implemented through the Youth and United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA) partners and builds on the work that the World Organisation of the Scout Movement is already doing as part of its A Million Hands programme which gives young people the chance to take action on issues they care about.

Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division from the United Nations Environment Programme, said:

Harnessing the energy and brilliance of youth is one of the best solutions we have in the fight against the super-sized plastic pollution crisis that we face. We are delighted to have the support of the UK and the Scouts, Guides and Junior Achievement to scale-up the Plastic Tide Turners Badge.

Hany Abdulmonem, Global Director of Scouting Development, said:

The Challenge Badge is a strong contribution to Scouting’s environmental programming and our ongoing youth-led effort to engage young people in making our communities and planet more sustainable.

Sarah Nancollas, Chief Executive of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, said:

Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world are calling for action to protect their planet and shape a sustainable future. The extension of the Tide Turner Challenge Badge will give even more girls the platform to lead, speak out and take action in the fight against plastic pollution.

Today’s announcement is the latest step in the UK government’s ongoing fight against plastic both at home and abroad.

In the UK we have already introduced a world-leading ban on microbeads that harm marine life and a plastic bag charge that has taken more than 15 billion plastic bags out of circulation. We are also banning the supply of plastic straws stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

On the international stage, we are urging countries around the world to join our call to protect 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030, and have brought Commonwealth nations together through the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance to pledge further action to eliminate avoidable plastic waste.

The conference was organised by the UK through the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and funded by the UK government through the Department of the Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (Defra), and the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP).

The Coordinator of the River Motagua Project at the Secretary of Environment, Kessel Rosales represented Honduras. The dialogue provided an opportunity to share knowledge, experience and best practices from across the region on prevention and mitigation of marine litter, with the aim of building regional consensus towards a collective response to this challenge.

The conference allowed participants to focus on waste management on land and at sea from a holistic perspective, including common areas of concern associated with public outreach and education, and addressing removal of litter from the marine environment. Decision makers also learnt about the outcomes of CLiP’s research in Belize.

To learn more about the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) visit this website.

Published 6 September 2019

The conference was organised by the UK through the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and funded by the UK government through the Department of the Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (Defra), and the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP).

The Vice Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Carlos Ramos represented Guatemala. The dialogue provided an opportunity to share knowledge, experience and best practices from across the region on prevention and mitigation of marine litter, with the aim of building regional consensus towards a collective response to this challenge.

The conference allowed participants to focus on waste management on land and at sea from a holistic perspective, including common areas of concern associated with public outreach and education, and addressing removal of litter from the marine environment. Decision makers also learnt about the outcomes of CLiP’s research in Belize.

To learn more about the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) visit this website.

Published 6 September 2019

The initial £1.5 million will fund the delivery of critical aid supplies on Royal Navy ship RFA Mounts Bay that is already underway, and support the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency in its work to coordinate the international response.

The government’s response includes the deployment of Department for International Development humanitarian staff, Foreign Office staff trained to help affected British nationals, and RFA Mounts Bay, a ship which is assessing needs and delivering supplies including water and DFID shelter kits. On Wednesday (4 September), the Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter deployed with the ship rescued a British citizen who had been trapped beneath rubble for several days on Great Abaco Island.

It is estimated that several hundred British nationals live in the worst affected areas of The Bahamas. The UK Government is working hard to establish how badly they have been affected and deploying Foreign Office staff and members of the British Red Cross for emotional and practical support.

The British High Commission in Nassau has been working closely with the United Nations, United States and other partners in the region to support the Bahamian Government. The UK is also opening a reception centre in Nassau for British people who are facing difficulties in the wake of the hurricane.

The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said:

Hurricane Dorian has devastated lives and communities in The Bahamas. The Foreign Office is coordinating the UK’s cross-government response so that we get aid and support to those who need it most.

International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said:

My heart goes out to all of those who have been affected by this tragedy and lost their loved ones. DFID experts are working as part of the cross-government team alongside local authorities, the British military and international partners to urgently get life-saving assistance to the people of the Bahamas.

Anyone worried about a loved one in The Bahamas who may need UK consular help should call 0207 008 1500.

Watch the Foreign Secretary’s statement on the UK’s response to Hurricane Dorian:

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab