The Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge will be extended to a further 15 countries
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 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:
Hany Abdulmonem, Global Director of Scouting Development, said:
Sarah Nancollas, Chief Executive of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, said:
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.