Commonwealth Clean Oceans Forum 2026: Driving Action Across the Commonwealth to Tackle Plastic Pollution

As part of London Climate Action Week 2026, the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) invites you to the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Forum 2026, a high-level panel discussion convening on one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time.

About this Event
Plastic pollution is an escalating global threat, with shared and disproportionate impacts across Commonwealth member states, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Without urgent collective action, the environmental and social costs of plastic waste will continue to rise, placing further strain on vulnerable communities.

The Commonwealth is uniquely positioned to respond to this challenge through collaboration, shared learning, and collective advocacy. The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign demonstrates how partnerships across governments, civil society, sport, and youth networks can mobilise communities, reduce plastic waste, and deliver tangible environmental outcomes.

Thematic Focus and Discussion Highlights
This event will explore how collective action across the Commonwealth can drive meaningful progress in tackling plastic pollution. The discussion will focus on: sharing practical solutions and lessons learned from national and regional approaches; addressing policy and implementation challenges, including global frameworks; and highlighting how partnerships across government, civil society, and the private sector can scale impactful solutions.

The discussion will also emphasise the role of innovation, as well as sport, youth, and community engagement, in driving behavioural change and environmental action, while strengthening collaboration and fostering new partnerships.

This event will explore the challenge of plastic pollution through a Commonwealth-wide lens, focusing on:

• The role of the Commonwealth in advocating for vulnerable states, disproportionately affected by ocean pollution, particularly SIDS
• Lessons learned from national and regional initiatives to reduce plastic use and improve ocean sustainability
• Policy and governance challenges, including gaps in global frameworks such as plastics treaty negotiations
• Innovation and private sector leadership to drive sustainable alternatives
• Strengthening cross-sector partnerships to deliver scalable, long-term solutions
• The contribution of sport, youth, and community engagement in driving environmental action

Speakers

• Janet Cooper OBE – Chair, Royal Commonwealth Society
• Professor Richard C. Thompson OBE FRS – Professor of Marine Biology, University of Plymouth
• Daniel Wilde – Adviser and Head – Oceans, Commonwealth Secretariat
• Professor Cressida Bowyer – Co-Director Revolution Plastics Institute, University of Portsmouth
• Pierre-Yves Paslier – Co-founder & CEO, Notpla (Earthshot Prize Winner 2022)
• Video Message – H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco – President, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

Why Attend
This event offers a unique platform to:

• Engage with leaders shaping global environmental policy and practice
• Explore partnership opportunities within the Commonwealth network
• Contribute to scaling impactful solutions to plastic pollution
• Support the next phase of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Campaign (2025–2030)