The research project titled “Enhancing the Science-Policy Interface to Manage Microplastic Influx from Major Cities into the Oceans in Southeast Asia” is funded by the Asia-Pacific Network (APN) for Global Change Research under its Collaborative Regional Research Programme (CRRP) scheme. The project research consortium is composed of researchers from three collaborative institutions: the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade in Vietnam, and Universitas Pertamina in Indonesia.

This project addresses the growing environmental threat of plastic debris and microplastics (MPs), particularly in Southeast Asia (SEA), a global hotspot for plastic waste discharge into the ocean. Despite SEA’s significant role in plastic pollution, a major knowledge gap exists in understanding the complex interactions between land-based sources, aquatic pathways, and environmental sinks of MPs in urban coastal areas. The project develops a comprehensive system model to quantify the influx of microplastics in urban aquatic systems across selected SEA cities. It answers key questions regarding the sources, pathways, and receptors of MPs and how this knowledge can inform better management and policy making. Key activities include reviewing existing research, formulating a source-pathway-receptor (SPR) framework, collecting field data, and engaging with stakeholders to ensure policy relevance. The project’s outcomes inform evidence-based strategies for preventing marine plastic pollution and supporting sustainable management efforts across SEA.

The grant supports a two-year research initiative starting on October 1st, 2024, and focuses on three major cities in the respective countries. To ensure the project progresses according to the established goals, a kickoff meeting was held at Universitas Pertamina in Jakarta, Indonesia.