Image credit: Inia Corerega (IUCN)
WREN is currently engaged by IUCN Global to provide technical consulting services for a regional initiative focused on reducing plastic pollution impacting marine biodiversity and sensitive coastal ecosystems. The project involves the design and implementation of a comprehensive waste data collection framework across Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, including household, community, and commercial surveys, as well as assessments of existing waste infrastructure. In parallel, biodiversity and eDNA surveys are being undertaken at each of the sites to create an overlapping baseline of plastic pollution, biodiversity, and eDNA data.
WREN supports project design, facilitates national-level collaboration, and oversees a waste audit and plastic flow mapping process. The project applies an integrated, participatory approach to address key sources of land-based plastic pollution, aiming to deliver environmental benefits and support circular economy opportunities in coastal communities.
