10 November 2021 – Gland, Switzerland: Created to assist new users who wish to apply the UNEP/IUCN National Guidance for plastic pollution hotspotting and shaping action methodology, this Tutorial and its six videos take users through a national hotspotting assessment by following a step-by-step workflow. The links to the relevant videos can be found in the relevant chapters of the tutorial document as well.

The core of the methodology and requirements is presented to help users visualise the journey from data collection to intervention identification to detailed GIS modelling. With precise directions and video content, the document elaborates the 29 steps to conduct a national plastic pollution hotspotting assessment. A flowchart of each phase (A, B, and C) illustrates the data needed, the technical and strategic tools to use, how to verify results, and in which order to generate the necessary outcomes that can be synthesised as evidence and guidance for policy makers.

Photo: © IUCN

To access the Guidance in three languages, the Tutorial slides, and to watch the videos, follow these links:

• Tutorial Document
• Video 1: Chapter 1, Phase A – Data collection and modelling, production and trade The first video of the Tutorial for the National Guidance for Plastic Pollution Hotspotting and Shaping Action describes how to perform the desktop data collection on the production and trade of plastic. Instructions on how to perform the modelling of the data from polymer to sector are also presented. 
• Video 2: Chapter 2, Phase A – Data collection on recycling, calculation recycling and export The second video shows how to calculate inputs, waste generation and obtain the stock quantities by sector. How to calculate recycling and waste export from collected data is also described.
• Video 3: Chapter 3, Phase B – Waste management data, littering and release rates The third video presents how to calculate littered quantities by sector and how to use collected data to calculate shares of plastic based on management (mismanaged, uncollected, leaked, etc…) by sector. The video then shows how to obtain plastic leakage results by sector.
• Video 4: Chapter 4, Phase C – Shares of plastics based on management by polymer The fourth video describes how to perform calculations of the shares of plastics based on management (mismanaged, uncollected, leaked, and more) by polymer and obtain leakage quantities by polymer.
• Video 5: Chapter 5, Step 29 – Hotspot Selection The fifth shows how to carry out the hotspots selection, identifying which are the most critical polymers and sectors for the plastic pollution.
• Video 6: Chapter 5, GIS – Mapping of Geographical Hotspots The sixth and last video presents the fundamental steps needed to perform the mapping of geographical hotspots with the QGIS tool.
• The UNEP/IUCN National Guidance for Plastic Pollution Hotspotting and Shaping Action is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese)

Acknowledgements and Support

This Tutorial is an output from the Marine Plastics and Coastal Communities project (MARPLASTICCs), generously supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Photo: SIDA

IUCN also wishes to acknowledge the leadership, support and cooperation throughout of our partners at UNEP.

Photo: © UNEP

For further information please email:

Lynn Sorrentino, Marine Programme Officer, at Lynn.sorrentino@iucn.org

Other Resources

National Guidance for Plastic Pollution Hotspotting and Shaping Action

IUCN’s Close the Plastic Tap programme

MARPLASTICCs project