COUNTRY CLEAN-UPS

The Royal Commonwealth Society convened the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Forum 2026 at the Ismaili Centre, bringing together scientists, lawyers and innovators to tackle plastic pollution across the Commonwealth.

Today marks a significant milestone for the Royal Commonwealth Society. One hundred and fifty-eight years ago, this organisation was founded on a belief in the power of the Commonwealth to improve lives and bring people together. That belief remains at the heart of everything we do, and it is what drives the Strategic Plan we are proud to share with you today. Building on real progress The past five years have been a period of real and measurable progress for the Royal Common

We are proud to announce the panel of judges for the Commonwealth Youth Photography Competition 2026: Waves of Change, run by the Royal Commonwealth Society in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the City of London Corporation's Youth Natural Environment Board. Waves of Change invites young people aged 18 to 30 from across the Commonwealth's 56 member nations to document the ocean and its relationship to communities, environments, and the future. Free to enter,

Last month, on 16th May, I had the opportunity to take part in a coastal clean-up at Spinola Bay in Malta, organised by Żibel as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign. The event was part of the King's Baton Relay (KBR) in Malta, on its journey through Europe, making it feel we were contributing to something much bigger than a local beach clean. Storm Harry had swept past Malta around a month earlier. Although Żibel had already cleaned Spinola Bay as part of

The Commonwealth Youth Photography Competition 2026: Waves of Change is now open for entries. Ran by the Royal Commonwealth Society in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the City of London Corporation's Youth Natural Environment Board, the competition invites young photographers aged 18 to 30 from across the Commonwealth's 56 member nations to document the ocean and its relationship to communities, environments, and the future. Entry is free, and no prior phot

A community effort to protect one of Bermuda's most beloved nature reserves, joined by the Governor himself and forming part of a landmark Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign to collect one million pieces of plastic before the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Tucked into the eastern parishes of Bermuda, the Walsingham Nature Reserve is one of the island's most ecologically significant habitats, home to Tom Moore's Jungle, the iconic Blue Hole, and some of the last rem

Clean Oceans Catch-Up Series: Episode One with Heidi Tait, Tangaroa Blue Watch the full interview below to learn how Tangaroa Blue is turning knowledge into action for a cleaner, healthier ocean. Clean Oceans Catch Up Episode 1: Tangaroa Blue Welcome to the Clean Oceans Catch-Up Series , where we sit down with partners from the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign to spotlight the people and projects driving real action against plastic pollution across the Commonwealt

On the day of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Campaign Pickup event, the Parley Maldives team, along with members of the Maldives Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Sport, set out from Malé on a 1.5-hour boat journey to the island of Vaavu Fulidhoo. It was scorching when we arrived, and we gathered with the Fulidhoo community including Fulidhoo Council members, Vaavu Atoll School students and staff, and representatives from the Commonwealth, to kick off the event. The Boat Jour

The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign was delighted to support an invaluable clean-up event in Singapore, delivered by the environmental charity Ocean Purpose Project (OPP) and supported by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC). Bringing together volunteers committed to protecting Singapore’s coastal ecosystems, the event was held along the shores of Pasir Ris, an area known both for its natural beauty and its susceptibility to marine debris. The team at O

Last month, the Kings Baton Relay visited India, we wanted to shine a light on the work that our partners ReefWatch Marine Conservation are undertaking to protect India’s marine and coastal ecosystems through restoration, research, outreach, and community engagement. A key focus for Reefwatch are its projects spanning habitat restoration, marine wildlife response, and efforts to address plastic pollution, each contributing to its broader objective of safeguarding ocean health

On 2 November the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign reached Malaysia. At Pantai Batu Laut, on Malaysia’s coastline, volunteers from MY Clean Beach gathered together with the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia as part of the King’s Baton Relay, to remove plastics and other debris from the shorelines. The hundred volunteers collected 242.9 kilograms of waste which was then counted and sorted for safe disposal, recycling plastic where possible. Over 40 kilos

On 13 October 2025, the shores of The Gambia witnessed an inspiring demonstration of community action and environmental leadership. As part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, a large-scale beach clean-up brought together volunteers, athletes, environmental advocates, and local organisations in a shared mission: tackling plastic pollution along one of the country’s most important stretches of coastline. The initiative, led by WasteAid, an international environ